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Reverend ISAAC McCOY 
FIRST CLERGYMAN AT FORT LEAVENWORTH 

FROM AN OIL PAINTING MADE IN 1831 AT THE AGE OF 47 YEARS 



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SURING his tour of duty at Fort Leavenworth, 
between 1905 and 1908, Chaplain John T. Axton, 
18th Infantry, requested the undersigned to furnish 
him some data concerning the post chapel's history. 

The result of an examination of the post records, 
together with personal recollections covering a period 
of thirty-five years, produced a more bountiful har- 
vest than anticipated. This was presented in a hur- 
riedly compiled pamphlet under the title of * 'Public 
Worship at Fort Leavenworth". While it met with a 
most kindly reception, it proved so unsatisfactory to 
the undersigned, that he determined upon this revi- 
sion. Data, not heretofore available, has been used 
for this revision. 

It also includes a history of kindred church or- 
ganizations of the post, of the past and present school 
system, and of its cemeteries. 

If this compilation meets with the reception ac- 
corded other publications relating to Fort Leaven- 
worth, by the undersigned, he will feel amply re- 
warded for the time and labor expended. 

HENRY SHINDLER 

FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, 
MAY 10, 1912 



vii 



CONTENTS 

PAGES 

Altar Society (Roman Catholic) 119-121 

Altar Guild (Protestant) 111-118 

Army Young Men's Christian Association .. 135-139 
Attendance at Divine Service Suggested in 

Army Regulations 33-34 

Authorizing Chaplains for Army, Legislation 21-32 
Building of First Catholic Chapel at Post _ . . 91-93 

Catholic Congregation . . . _ _ . 85 

Cemeteries at Post 165-169 

Chaplain Stone's Journal (1859-1868) 49-66 

Distinguished Dead in Cemetery 171-176 

Divine Worship, History of 3-18 

Divine Service at U. S. MiHtary Prison 77-83 

Erection of Present Catholic Chapel 99-107 

List of Catholic Clergymen who have served 

local mission as resident pastors _ 87-90 

List of Army Chaplains who have served at 

Fort Leavenworth 37-45 

Post Chapels, Erection of 69-73 

School Facilities, (Pubhc and Private, Past 

and Present) 143-153 

School, Parochial 155-161 

Vital Statistics, Post's 125-131 



ix 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Rev. Isaac McCoy Frontispiece 

Pawnee Indian Mission in 1827 8 

Rev. Hiram Stone . 39 

Rev. George Robinson . . _ . 39 

Rev. J. T. Axton 39 

Rev. John Woart..-- .--. 39 

First Post Chapel 70 

Present Post Chapel 70 

Rev. J. B. McCleery.. 77 

Rev. C. C. Pierce ._ 77 

Rev. Thomas H. Barry 77 

Rev. P. H. Silver. ._ 77 

St. Ignatius Chapel 85 

Rt. Rev. J. B. Miege 90 

Rev. Ambrose Butler _. 90 

Rev. James O'Reilly 90 

Rev. Thomas Downey _ . . 90 

Rev. John Hurley 90 

First Catholic Church 92 

Rt. Rev. L. M. Fink 99 

Gen. M. R. Morgan ... 99 

Rev. Thomas H. Kinsella.. 99 

Rev. M. J. Dougherty 99 

Altar Present Post Chapel .-.. 112 

Interior St. Ignatius Chapel .. _.- 119 

Homeof Army Y. M. C. A 135 

Portrait of Miss Helen M. Gould 135 

Lobby Scene in Y. M. C. A. Building 136 

Gymnasium in Y. M. C. A. Building 136 

Bible Class, Army Y. M. C. A 138 

Library of Army Y. M. C. A 138 

xi 



3(ntr0&«rtt0n 



"JJN PRESENTING this little volume it is proper 
^ to state to those who may not be familiar with 
the history of the post that the current of events 
which have fashioned the United States into the 
shape in which it exists today have swept through 
the lands of the Fort Leavenworth MiHtary Reserva- 
tion for nearly a century of its life. 

The post of Fort Leavenworth came into exist- 
ence in 1827 as a result of efforts on the part of 
Missouri's foremost constructive statesman— United 
States Senator Thomas H. Benton. The people of 
Mexico had only a few years previously declared their 
independence of Spanish rule and decided upon an 
open door pohcy— the establishment of commerce 
between their country and the United States. Sena- 
tor Benton early foresaw the possibilities of this 
commerce for the people living on the western border 
of his state and, in fact, for the entire Nation. 
Early in its existence hostile Indians threatened this 
trade, attacking caravans engaged in its carriage 
across the wide expanse of prairie. The Senator de- 
manded protection for this trade, taking the position 
that the commerce of the prairie was entitled to 
protection equally to that of the seas for which 
navies were maintained. Congress gave its assent 
in appropriating funds for the survey of a trade 
route and military protection. It is this route which 
later became known as the Santa Fe trail. To meet 
the military requirements for its protection it was 
decided to establish a post at some point on the Mis- 



Xlll 



xiv INTRODUCTION 

souri river convenient to the initial point of the 
"trail". Colonel Henry Leavenworth, Third U. S. 
Infantry, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, 
was assigned to the duty of selecting a suitable site. 
Under orders of March 7, 1827, he proceeded up the 
Missouri river and chose the spot now bearing his 
name. 

The post's relation to this newly created com- 
merce; to the political conditions following the or- 
ganization of the Territory of Kansas; its selection 
as the capital of the new Territory and its position 
during the Civil War, as well as in the settlement of 
the vast empire over which military authority con- 
trolled, emanating from here, and now the seat of 
learning in the higher branches of the Art of War, 
has given it a commanding position as a military 
station second to none in the country. 



In 1829 the first military escort left Fort Leav- 
enworth to accompany a caravan of traders from In- 
dependence, Missouri, to the Mexican frontier. 

In 1835 the First Dragoons under Colonel Henry 
Dodge left Fort Leavenworth to explore the country 
between the Missouri river and the Rocky Mountains 
and to secure the friendship of the Pawnee Indians. 
The command marched northward to the mouth of 
the Platte river; thence westward to the base of the 
Rocky Mountains, and thence south to the Arkansas 
river, taking the Santa Fe trail homeward. 

Close by the post ran the Oregon trail which, 
like its co-partner to the southwest, had an import- 
ant effect on the development of the territory em- 
braced between the Missouri river and Pacific coast. 
The trail had a direct and powerful influence in 
winning the Oregon country for the United States 
the settlement of which was reached with Great 
Britain in 1846. 



INTRODUCTION xv 

It was here, in 1846, the "Army of the West'' 
for operation against Mexico was organized under 
General S. W. Kearney and to which the now famous 
First Missouri Mounted Volunteers, commanded by 
Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan belonged. When 
the army reached Santa Fe General Kearny marched, 
to CaHfornia, while the Missourians proceeded to the 
active theatre of war. For the United States it 
achieved victories not only of great importance upon 
the final results of the war but without a parallel in 
ancient or modern military history. 

The exodus of Mormons to Utah in 1847, gave 
Fort Leavenworth a prominence and importance its 
founder, who was dead at this time, never imagined 
would come to it. 

The gold excitement of 1849 in California car- 
ried thousands through its gates on their long and 
wearisome march. This was followed later by the 
throngs who moved on 'Tike's Peak or Bust". 

In 1851 General E. V. Sumner left this post at 
the head of an important expedition to punish the 
Cheyennes and other hostile tribes, which had been 
committing serious depredations. 

In 1854 the Territory of Kansas was organized. 
Fort Leavenworth v/as made its temporary capital, 
and with it came the titanic struggle between the 
elements which stood for slave and that which stood 
for freedom. 

In 1857 an expedition was organized for the pur- 
pose of proceeding to Utah to punish the Mormons 
who declined to obey the laws of the country. It 
was commanded by Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston. 

In January, 1858, eight companies of the Sixth 
Infantry, were assembled here for its grand m.arch 
to the Pacific coast. The regiment left in March 
and arrived on the shores of the Pacific, within 



xvi INTRODUCTION 

twenty miles of San Francisco, in November of the 
same year. 

During the civil war the reservation was made 
the concentration point for numberless regiments of 
western volunteers who were here mustered-in and 
out of the service. 

After the war it was made the headquarters of 
the country's largest geographical-military depart- 
ment embracing all the territory between the Mis- 
souri river and the Rio Grande. Authority over this 
territory was exercised by some of the Nation's 
most distinguished soldiers, products of the Civil 
War. 

Following the Civil War it was the central sup- 
ply depot for troops operating on the plains against 
hostile Indians. 

In 1881 the Infantry and Cavalry School was es- 
tablished. What it has done and is still doing to 
further knowledge in the art of war is familiar to all 
and needs no recounting here. 

Fort Leavenworth is the Army's Mecca. Many 
Army men and women claim it as their birth place 
and to these it is bound by ties time only can tear 
asunder. To many it has furnished a place of rest 
from which they cannot be disturbed until "first 
call" shall be sounded by one whose trumpet will be 
heard around the world. 



Fve wandered wide, and wandered far 

But never have I met, 
In all this lovely western land 

A spot more lovely yet. 

-BRYANT 



XVlll 



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3F0rt &ati^ntu0rtl} 



CHAPTER I 

MISSIONARIES MAKE FORT LEAVENWORTH TEMPORARY 
HEADQUARTERS 

'JgETWEEN the period following the establishment of 
89 Fort Leavenworth (1827) and the year 1838, 
Congress failed to make provisions for the employ- 
ment of chaplains in the army. Troops serving at 
frontier stations, many miles from civilization, were 
thus placed at a great disadvantage compared to their 
comrades in garrison within civilization. The burial 
service was often read by officers at the station, usu- 
ally professors of religion, of which the army had 
many such then, just as it contains them today. This 
failure on the part of the Government to supply the 
spiritual wants of its officers and soldiers in the Army 
brought a protest not only from among the commis- 
sioned personnel of the service, but from the Chris- 
tian people of the country, a demand which Congress, 
however, permitted to go unheeded for nearly seven- 
teen years. The answer came in 1838, upon a reor- 
ganization of the army which included provisions for 
the employment of chaplains. 

The question has often been asked as to the time 
when the troops forming the Fort Leavenworth 
garrison first had the opportunity to attend divine 
service, presided over by an ordained minister, with- 
in the period when chaplains for the army were not 
authorized. 

The advanced position of Fort Leavenworth on 
the frontier made it at once a gathering place for 
missionaries. On their way to the Indian Missions, 
they halted here to make final preparations for their 
work among the Indian tribes, and to the post they 

3 



frequently returned to seek desirable relief and to 
mingle with their own race, whose hospitable doors 
were always open for their entertainment. 

It is possible that American missionaries visited 
this section earlier than 1827, but this is not disclosed 
by any records the writer has had at his disposal, 
though there is ample evidence that French mission- 
aries visited this section a century before the Louis- 
iana territory became a part of the United States. 

In 1828 Congress passed the act creating an 
Indian territory, out of which was carved, in 1854, 
the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. 

In 1828 the Reverend Isaac McCoy, * a distin- 
guished clergyman of the Baptist church, and a well 
known Missionary among the Indians in his time, in 
eastern states, came west with representatives of 
various tribes to view the lands the government 
wished them to accept in exchange for their lands east 
of the Mississippi river. 

As Fort Leavenworth was the only settlement 
west of the Missouri river, and located upon a part 
of the lands offered the Indians, the post undoubt- 
edly acted as host during their stay in these parts, 
and it may be set down for a certainty that its in- 
habitants heard the Word preached by Mr. McCoy. 

Mr. McCoy returned to Fort Leavenworth in 
September, 1830, where he met in council one hun- 
dred Pawnee Indians who had come in agreeably to 
a message sent them a few weeks previous. 

♦Reverend Isaac McCoy made the first survey of the Fort 
Leavenworth reservation. It was done with the consent of 
the commanding officer, Captain Palmer, and comprised sev- 
eral thousand additional acres of land to the west of the pres- 
ent western boundary. John C. McCoy, a son of the clergy- 
man-surveyor, was associated with his father in these surveys. 
He settled near the mouth of the Kansas river and became 
one of the founders of Kansas City, Mo. 



3ft0 (^i}ttr tl^tB attb Bti^aoiB 



Referring to his expedition westward in his 
"History of Baptist Indian Missions" Mr. McCoy 
says:— 

''Our present company was large, and formed 
under circumstances that compelled me to yield to the 
general wish in regard to traveling on the Sabbath. 
Usually, the traveler, even in the wilderness, may so 
husband his time, that little, if anything, is lost by 
observing the Sabbath. But a company of forty 
men, anxious to get out of the wilderness, few of 
whom have any large regard for the Sabbath, can- 
not be persuaded to observe the economy of time, or 
to rest for conscience sake. The company, however, 
had the politeness, on Sabbath mornings, to invite 
me to perform religious services before they set out. 
I usually made a short religious address and prayer, 
to which every decent attention was given." 

As the stay of Mr. McCoy at Fort Leavenworth 
was one of considerable duration it is more than pro- 
bable that the troops at the post enjoyed his religious 
services at that early period of its history. 

The Indians having accepted the new lands in 
exchange for their eastern homes, the President ap- 
pointed Mr. McCoy to lead them into the wilderness 
and to fix the lines for their reservation. 

Father DeSmet, the distinguished missionary, 
visited this post in 1831. Under date of October 30, 
in a communication to the Indian Superintendent, 
Gen. Wm. Clark*, he tells of his return from the In- 
dians which were in a most deplorable condition. 
This evidence of the presence at Fort Leavenworth 
of Father DeSmet is further proof that its residents 
enjoyed religious worship as early as 1831, even if 

*0f the Clark and Lewis expedition to the Upper Missouri 
river, 1803-04. 



6 Jffnrt SlratJ^nmortJj 

evidence was not at hand that such services may 
have been conducted here at an earlier date. 

In 1833 Rev. Jerome C. Berryman, * a Methodist 
minister was appointed by the General Conference as 
missionary to the Kickapoo Indians. As the reserva- 
tion of these Indians joined the mihtary reservation on 
the north and the mission located within five miles of 
the post, Mr. Berryman made good use of this new 
field by frequently holding services for the officers 
and soldiers of Fort Leavenworth. 

In an interesting account of his introduction to 
the work among the Kickapoos, he says: 

'* . . . .It did not take me long to have some 
log-cabin buildings erected for my family, and a 
schoolhouse of the same sort in which to open a school; 
and by midwinter I had about ninety children in at- 
tendance. Here for eight consecutive years, with 
my faithful wife and other helpers, I labored in 
teaching the young and old; often preaching to the 
soldiers at the fort and also frequently visiting and 
helping at the other mission stations among the Shaw- 
nees, Delawares, Peorias and Pottawatomies." 

He also informs us that, accompanied by the Rev. 
Thomas Johnson, in charge of the mission at Shawnee, 
to the south, he arrived at Fort Leavenworth within 
a brief period after his appointment to consult with 
the government officials and the Indians about the 
location of the contemplated mission among the Kick- 
apoos. 

*Jerome Cousin Berryman was born in Ohio county, Ky., 
in 1810. He came to Missouri in 1828. In 1841, following 
eight years service at the Kickapoo mission he was appointed 
superintendent of the Indian manual labor school, where he 
remained for six years, having a part of this time charge of 
the Indian Mission conference. He was the last surviving 
member of the general conference of 1844. His death occur- 
red May 8, 1906, at Caledonia, Mo., in the ninety -seventh 
year of his age. He was for seventy-seven years a minister 
of the Gospel. 



3ft0 (!II|urrl|pfi nwh l^rljnfllH 



In the spring of 1834 the Presbyterian church of 
Ithaca, N. Y., raised a fund to support a mission 
among the Indians, and the Reverends Samuel Allis, 
John Dunbar and Samuel Parker were appointed to 
this new field of Christian endeavor. 

This party of missionaries left their home on 
May 5th the same year, and, arriving at St. Louis, 
ascertained that the party of traders, whom it was 
designed they should accompany from that place 
to the Pawnees and beyond the mountains, had 
started six weeks before they arrived. After a con- 
ference with the Indian Agent, it was decided that 
Mr. Parker should return by way of Mackinaw, see 
a Mr. Steward, who was agent for the Hudson Bay 
Company, and get reenforcement the coming 
spring in season to cross the mountains. 

After conferring with the Pawnee Agent the par- 
ty found it could not effect anything until the follow- 
ing fall, v/hen it could meet with the Pawnees and 
make known their business. However, the par- 
ty left St. Louis in June and proceeded to Fort 
Leavenworth and summered here, at Liberty*, Clay 

*Ho:iorabl8 D. C.Allen of Liberty, the biographer of Colo- 
nel A. W. Doniphan, of Mexican Ware fame, in a letter to the 
author writes: "My father, Colonel Shnbal Allen, who died in 
1841, established 'Liberty Landing,' in 1825. Steamboats be- 
gan to run regularly on the Missouri river in 1826. My fath- 
er's residence down there, 'Liberty Landing,' was a great 
place of resort for army officers from Fort Leavenworth. I 
often heard my mother speak of them. For instance, Gene- 
ral Leavenworth, (tho' remember no particular facts); Gene- 
ral Gaines, wlio was my mother's kinsman; Colonel Croghan, 
also mj^ mother's kinsman; Major Steen, Captain Philip St. 
George Cooke, Major Pilcher, General Bennett Riley, etc., etc. 
My sister, Elizabeth, married Lieutenant Allen B. Dyer, later 
the chief of Ordnance of the army, in 1840. (The parents of 
Colonel A. B. Dyer, of the Fourth Field artillery. Author.) 
Lieutenant McCrate was one of his gromsman. (Thomas Mc- 
Crate, graduate class 1836. An officer of Dragoons stationed 



8 3mX C^atJf itmnrtli 

County, Missouri, and among the missions of the 
Kickapoos, Shawnees and Delaware Indians. 

Both Messers Allis and Dunbar have left their 
impressions of their western journey, the former in 
a paper to the Nebraska Historical Society, and Mr. 
Dunbar, in a paper published in the Kansas Histori- 
cal Society under the title * 'The Presbyterian Mis- 
sion among the Pawnee Indians**. 

In his account, alluding to his arrival and stay 
at the post Mr. Allis says: 

* 'We proceeded to Fort Leavenworth and summered 
there, at Liberty, Clay Co., Missouri, and among the 
missions of the Kickapoos, Shawnees, and Delaware 
Indians. . . . We spent some time at Fort Leaven- 
worth. I had a letter of introduction to Major 
Thompson, from a nephew of Mrs. Thompson of Itha- 
ca. We were kindly received by Major Thompson 

at Fort Leavenworth. Author. ) If \ou will examine Connol- 
ley's reprint of Doniphan's expedition in my sketch of Colo- 
nel Doniphan you will see that there was an old army intimate 
connection between Liberty and Fort Leavenworth. OflScers' 
sons were often sent here. As late as the fifties Major Beall 
sent his sons here. As late as 1853 officers' famiUes boarded 
here in the summer, I remember a Captain Hastings and 
his family. (Captain Hastings was an officer of the First 
Dragoons. He commanded the company of which the late 
Honorable Percival Lowe of Leavenworth was first ser- 
geant. Mrs. Morton, the wife of Colonel C. G. Morton, In- 
spector general, U. S. Army, was Captain Hastings' youngest 
daughter. She resided at Fort Leavenworth between 1902 
and 1905. Author. ) 

Mr. Allen in his sketch of Colonel Doniphan to which he 
has referred to above, states that "the officers of the Fort 
and their wives and daughters were almost as much a part 
of the social life of the town, as freely united in public amuse- 
ments, balls, parties and the like, as its inhabitants them- 
selves. From the union of local intellect with the brilliance 
of the army the society of Liberty became exceptionally 
charming and elegant." 



3fta (!II?itrrI|ra aub Srlioola 



and other officers of the fort, also Major Morgan, 
sutler. Major Thompson commanded a regiment of 
infantry, and was afterwards killed in the Seminole 
war. He was superseded by Colonel Dodge who com- 
manded a regiment of dragoons. 

**The Kickapoos in those days resided near Fort 
Leavenworth. The prophet's band had a sort of Cath- 
olic form of worship. They would meet on the Sab- 
bath for worship, and the prophet would preach in 
their language. When they broke up, they would 
form in a line and commence marching in single file 
three or four times around, saying or singing prayers 
which consisted of characters cut on a paddle, at the 
same time shaking hands with the audience as they 
passed by. The characters represented words. As 
they left they would repeat those prayers till they 
got to their Father's house or heaven. Their house 
was marked at the top of the paddle. I had it on pa- 
per but lost it. They had three or four correctors, 
who carried whittled hickory sticks about the length 
of a raw hide. The tribe would meet on Friday and 
confess their faults, and receive three or four cuts 
by their correctors, according to the magnitude of 
their crime." 

George Catlin, the celebrated painter of Indians 
and western scenes, in his ''North American Indians" 
tells of a visit made to the Kickapoos in the year pre- 
ceeding Mr. Allis' presence among them, (1833). 
His impressions of their religious worship furnish 
a highly interesting story. In view of the fact that 
these Indians were the post's neighbors to the north, 
a reproduction of what Mr. Catlin has left us is 
deemed appropriate within these pages and is here 
presented:— 

"About a year ago I made a visit to the Kicka- 
poos, at present but a small tribe, numbering six or 



10 IFnrt IC^ati^ttmnrtlj 

eight hundred, a remnant of a once numerous and 
warlike tribe. They are residing within the state of 
IlHnois, near the south end of Lake Michigan, and 
living in a poor and miserable condition, although 
they have one of the finest countries in the world. 
They have been reduced in numbers by whiskey and 
small-pox, and the game being destroyed in their 
country, and having little industry to work, they 
are exceedingly poor and dependent. In fact, there 
is very little inducement for them to build houses 
and cultivate their farms, for they own such a large 
and fine tract of country, that they know, from 
experience, that they will soon be obliged to sell out 
their country for a trifle, and move to the West. 
This system of moving has already commenced with 
them, and a considerable party have located on a 
tract of lands offered to them on the west bank of 
the Missouri river, a little north of Fort Leaven- 
worth. 

* 'The Kickapoos have long lived in alHance with 
the Sacs and Foxes, and speak a language so similar 
that they seem almost to be of one family. The 
present chief of this tribe, whose name is Kee-an- 
nek-uk* (the foremost man), usually called the Shaw- 
nee Prophet, t is a very shrewd and talented man. 

* Isaac McCoy, in his Annual Register of Indian Affairs, 
No. 2, pp. 31-32, referring to this prophet, whom he calls 
"Ke-lu-kuk" says: "He is a professed preacher, of an order 
which he himself originated some years ago. His adherents 
are about 400 in number, some of whom are small boys and 
girls. He professes to receive all that he teaches immediately 
from the Great Spirit by a supernatural agency. He teaches 
abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, the observation of 
the Sabbath, and some other good morals. He appears to 
have little knowledge of the doctrine of Christianity, only as 
his dogmas happen to agree with them. Congregational wor- 
ship is performed four days in the week, and lasts from one 
to three hours," 

t Mr. Catlin alludes to this chief as the "Shawnee 
Prophet". This is undoubtedly an error and should be 
the "Kickapoo Prophet". 



3tH (2Il|urrl|C0 m\h ^rlynulB 11 

When he sat for his portrait, he took his attitude as 
seen in the picture, which was that of prayer. And 
I soon learned that he was a very devoted Christian, 
regularly holding meetings in his tribe, on the Sab- 
bath, preaching to them and exhorting them to a 
belief in the Christian religion, and to an abandon- 
ment of the fatal habit of whiskey drinking, which 
he strenuously represented as the bane that was to 
destroy them all, if they did not entirely cease to 
use it. I went on the Sabbath, to hear this eloquent 
man preach, when he had his people assembled in 
the woods, and although I could not understand his 
language, I was surprised and pleased with the nat- 
ural ease and emphasis, and gesticulation, which 
carried their own evidence of the eloquence of his 
sermon. 

"I was singularly struck with the noble efforts of 
this champion of the mere remnant of a poisoned 
race, so strenuously laboring to rescue the remainder 
of his people from the deadly bane that has been 
brought amongst them by enlightened Christians. 
How far the efforts of this zealous man have suc- 
ceeded in christianizing, I cannot tell, but it is quite 
certain that his exemplary and constant endeavors 
have completely abolished the practice of drinking 
whiskey in his tribe; which alone is a very praise- 
worthy achievement, and the first and indispensable 
step toward all other improvements. I was some time 
amongst these people, and was exceedingly pleased, 
and surprised also, to witness their sobriety, and 
their peaceable conduct; not having seen an instance 
of drunkenness, or seen or heard of any use of spir- 
itous liquors whilst I was amongst the tribe. 

"Ahtonwetuk, the cock turkey, is another Kick- 
apoo of some distinction, and a disciple of the Proph- 
et; in the attitude of prayer also; which he is reading 
off from characters cut upon a stick that he holds in 



12 IFort iC^awmwnrtli 

his hands. It was told to me in the tribe by the 
traders (though I am afraid to vouch for the whole 
truth of it), that while a Methodist preacher was 
soliciting for permission to preach in his village, the 
Prophet refused him the privilege, but secretly took 
him aside and supported him until he learned from 
him his creed, and his system of teaching it to 
others; when he discharged him and commenced 
preaching amongst his people himself; pretending to 
have had an interview with som.e superhuman mis- 
sion, or inspired personage; ingeniously resolving, 
that if any honor or emoluments, or influence to be 
gained by the promulgation of it, he might have it 
as another person; and with this view he commenced 
preaching and instituted a prayer, which he ingen- 
iously carved on a maple-stick of an inch and a half 
in breadth, in characters somewhat resembling Chi- 
nese letters. These sticks, with the prayers on 
them, he has introduced into every family of the 
tribe, and into the hands of every individual; and as 
he has necessarily the manufacturing of them all, he 
sells them at his own price; and has thus added lucre 
to fame, and in two essential and effective ways, 
augmented his influence in his tribe. Every man, 
woman and child in the tribe, so far as I saw them, 
were in the habit of saying their prayers from this 
stick when going to bed at night, and also when 
rising in the morning; which was invariably done by 
placing the fore-finger of the right hand under the 
upper character, until they repeat a sentence or 
two, which it suggests to them; and then slipping it 
under the next, and the next, and so on, to the bot- 
tom of the stick, which altogether required about 
ten minutes, as it was sung over in a sort of a chant, 
to the end, 

"Many people have called this an ingenious piece 
of hypocrisy on the part of the Prophet, and whether 



3ltB QII|urrl|r0 nnh ^rljnnlH 13 

it be so or not, I cannot decide; yet one thing lean 
vouch to be true, that whether his motives or life be 
as pure as he pretends or not, his example has done 
much towards correcting the habits of his people, 
and has effectually turned their attention from the 
destructive habits of dissipation and vice, to temper- 
ance and industry, in the pursuits of agriculture and 
the arts. The world may still be unwilling to allow 
him much credit for this, but I am ready to award 
him a great deal, who can by his influence thus far 
arrest the miseries of dissipation and the horrid de- 
formities of vice, in the descending prospects of a 
nation who have long had, and still have, the white- 
skin teachers of vices and dissipation amongst them.*' 

Rev. Mr. Dunbar gives his recollections in the 
following: 

* 'Liberty is the most western village in the state 
of Missouri on the north side of the stream. Here 
we stopped a few days, and then proceeded to Can- 
tonmentLeavenworth, thirty-four miles above Liberty, 
and on the opposite side of the Missouri. We had 
intended to go directly up to the place of our desti- 
nation, when we came to this place, but we found no 
opportunity to get thither. It is rare that whites 
pass either up from or down to the cantonment from 
the last of May till the first of September. We were 
compelled to remain in the vicinity of Leavenworth 
till the latter part of September. The way seemed 
to be hedged up before us. This was to us a time of 
deep anxiety and anxious suspense. We were fully 
aware that our patrons were expecting to go for- 
ward in our work but we seemed to be doing compar- 
atively nothing. We did indeed visit some of the 
tribes in the vicinity of the cantonment, and en- 
deavored to study Indian character, but this at the 
time seemed to be accomplishing very little. Once 



during the time of our delay I made arrangements 
to accompany a wretched half-starved party of 
Otoes, who had come down to the cantonment to beg 
provisions, when they should return to their village. 
At this village I would be within thirty miles of the 
place I wished to visit. When I went to their camp 
in the early part of the day on wliich they had ad- 
vised me they would set out on their return, they in- 
formed me that they had determined to pay their 
friends, the Kansas, a visit, and it would be several 
weeks before they would reach their place of resi- 
dence on the Platte. The true reason, however, of 
their not wishing my company was that they were 
desirous to take home with them a quantity of whis- 
key, and they were fearful that they might get in- 
to trouble about it should I be in their company. 
The next day I saw some of them coming up from 
the settlements on the border of the state having 
with them six or eight horses laden with the water 
of death to the Indian. Some white man with a 
deviFs heart had for a little paltry gain furnished 
these creatures, already sufficiently wretched with 
that which is speedily working their destruction. 

* 'We had not been at this place many days before 
Mr. Allis^s health became impaired, and for several 
weeks the prospect of his ever benefitting the In- 
dians directly by his personal efforts was darkened. 
At length his health began to mend, and before we 
were able to reach our destined field was fully re- 
stored. 

"September 22, I started from the cantonment, 
and on the 2nd day of October reached Bellevue, at 
that time the seat of government agency of the Paw- 
nees, Otoes and Omahaws. This place is in the Otoe 
country, and about 200 miles above Leavenworth on 
the same side of the river. It is ten miles above the 



3ftB dliitrrhPH anb ^rl|onlB 15 

mouth of the Platte and twenty below the site of the 
old fort called Council Bluffs." 

Mr. Dunbar is also silent upon the subject of 
preaching at Fort Leavenworth, but it is not likely 
that he overlooked such an opportunity. 

In 1835 the Rev. Samuel Parker followed Messers 
Allis and Dunbar arriving at Liberty in April. 

At Liberty Mr. Parker remained three weeks 
waiting for the caravan to get in readiness. While at 
Liberty he had the opportunity to collect much in- 
formation from those who had been to and beyond 
the Rocky Mountains, in regard to the country, mode 
of traveling, and concerning the various Indian 
tribes on the way. Here he first met Captain Ford 
and Lieutenant Steen, dragoon officers from Fort 
Leavenworth. **They are men of religion," says 
Mr. Parker, "and appear to be well acquainted with 
the Indian country." 

The incidents of this journey have been preser- 
ved in * 'Parker's Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky 
Mountains" and from this book, published in 1844, 
the following is reproduced: 

"Saturday, May 9th, rode twenty-six miles from 
Liberty to Cantonment Leavenworth, which is situ- 
ated on the west side of the Missouri river, nearly 
twenty miles outside of the United States. The way 
is through a fertile section of country, part of the 
distance is an open prairie, other parts are hand- 
somely wooded, and all are well adapted to cultiva- 
tion. I had an introduction to several of the officers, 
made my home at Lieut. S's, an agreeable and reli- 
gious family.* 

* Mrs. steen, wife of Major Steen died in 1840 at Fort 
Leavenworth at the age of 62 years and lies at rest in the Post 
cemetery. 



16 jFort IHgtipgtttoortt? 

"I preached three times on the Sabbath, and 
most of the people of the garrison assembled, and 
gave good attention. There is a very considerable 
number of professors of religion attached to this sta- 
tion, but they have no chaplain to teach and lead 
them in their devotions, which is a deficiency in our 
military establishment. Colonel Dodge* and some of 
the other officers appear disposed to maintain good 
order, and I think they exerted a salutary influence. 
I had an opportunity, before I returned to Liberty, 
to take a view of the adjacent country. The build- 
ings of the fort are situated within an inclosure 
around a large, beautiful square, which is covered 
with grass, and adorned with shade trees. The 
whole is on an elevation of a few hundred feet, and 
has an interesting prospect of the majestic river 
flowing silently below. The fertile country around 
presents a wide and fine prospect, and when settled 
by an industrious population, will equal the most 
favored parts of the earth." 

The Rev. Mr. Parker gives us this bit of inter- 
esting description of Liberty and its people as he 
found them at that time: 

* 'Liberty, and the surrounding country, is in- 
habited by people of considerable enterprise, and 
when it shall be brought under Christian influence, 
there will be few places more inviting. There is but 
one Presbyterian ministert in the county, a man of 
talents and very respectable attainments, who is 
exerting a good influence. The Baptists in this sec- 
tion of country are unlike those of the east. They 
are opposed to the benevolent operations of the day. 
Elder H. , the pastor of the church in this place, in- 
vited Rev. Mr. Merrill, a Baptist missionary, located 

*Colonel Henry Dodge, 1st Dragoons, Commanding. 
tRev. Mr. Yantis.— 



among the Otoe Indians of the Platte and myself, to 
preach for him the first Sabbath after our arrival. 
His people objected, apprehensive that Mr. Merrill 
would say something about the cause of temperance, 
or missionary efforts, and Elder H. had to withdraw 
his invitation. They profess to act from Christian 
principles in refusing to give their minister any- 
thing for support, lest they should make him a hire- 
ling. '' 

Should Mr. Parker care to return to Liberty he 
can be assured of a royal reception and all the time 
he may require to discuss temperance. 

Before 1830 Father Charles Van Quickenborne,* 
a Catholic missionary of great fame, visited the ter- 
ritory west of the Missouri river, along the Osage 
and Neosho rivers, but did not come this far north 

♦Reverend Father Charles Van Quickenborne, S. J., was 
born in Peteghem, Belgium, January 21, 1787; died at the mis- 
sion of St. Francis, in the Portage des Sioux, Missouri, Aug- 
ust 17, 1867. He arrived in the United States in 1817, and in 
1819 was appointed superior of the Jesuit novitiate at White 
Marsh, Maryland. After some years he was ordered to trans- 
fer his mission to Missouri. He accordingly set out with 
twelve companions, and after traveling 1,600 miles, arrived 
at Florissant and began the novitiate of St. Stanislaus. To 
form this establishment he had no other materials than the 
timber he carried from the woods and the rocks that he raised 
from the bed of the river. He was his own architect, me- 
chanic and laborer, and, aided by his novices, finally con- 
structed the buildings. In 1828 he set about building a univer- 
sity at St. Louis, and also erected at St. Charles a church, a 
convent of the Sacred Heart, and a parochial residence. His 
great desire from the first had been to evangelize the Indians. 
He, therefore, made several excursions among the Osages 
and lowas, and made numerous conversions. He erected a 
house and chapel among the Kickapoos, and this tribe became 
the center of his missionary labors in 1836. He had visited 
neighboring tribes and formed plans for their conversion, 
when he was called to Missouri. 



18 3Fort ICpatJp«wortl| 

until 1835. He located among the Kickapoo Indians 
in their village four miles north of Fort Leaven worth. 
This village is still in existence but inhabited by 
whites only. 

In a letter dated Village of Kickapoo, October 
4, 1836, Father Quickenborne, writing to the As- 
sociation for the Propagation of the Faith of St. 
Louis, Missouri, informs us that that there was quite 
a little consternation among the troops at Fort Leav- 
enworth. It was to the effect that the Northern 
Sioux had gone on the war path, had vanquished the 
Sacs and lowas, and not only that, but they had al- 
ready attacked and cut to pieces the troops sent out 
from Fort Leavenworth to arrest their fury. The 
whole story, he wrote, was a fake. The troops re- 
turned soon after to camp without having found the 
Sioux at all. 

While nothing can be found in any of his letters 
referring to services conducted at Fort Leavenworth, 
there is no reason to doubt that Father Quickenborne 
did his full duty towards those in the garrison who 
were members of his church. 



iunston ®uto 



^xBtntQ of HegtHlattan Autljorizing 
OltjaplainB fnr tl|^ Armg 



19 



CHAPTER II. 

HISTORY OF LEGISLATION BY CONGRESS AUTHORIZING 
CHAPLAINS FOR THE ARMY 

TjTOR many years following the organization of the 
^^ Army of the United States, the office of chap- 
lain was one of precarious existence. Its continu- 
ance, or discontinuance, appeared to depend largely 
upon the frame of mind in which our lawmakers 
found themselves when at work reorganizing the 
army. Since the Civil War, however, the office has 
been given deserved recognition. It has been raised 
to a much higher state of efficiency by reason of 
greater discrimination in the selection of its person- 
nel, followed with legislation providing for an in- 
crease in emoluments and advancement in rank. 

In the organization of the Regular Army of the 
United States an attempt was made to follow to 
some extent the English custom; and during the 
Revolutionary War chaplains were attached to the 
various commands. The following are among 
Washington's General Orders, and indicate the es- 
teem in which the chaplaincy was held: 

July 9, 1776. - ''The Honourable Continental Con- 
gress having been pleased to allow a chaplain to each 
regiment, with the pay of thirty-three dollars and 
one-third per month, the Colonels or Commanding-offi- 
cers of each regiment are directed to procure Chap- 
lains accordingly; -persons of good character and 
exemplary lives, and to see that all inferior officers 
and soldiers pay them a suitable respect. The bles- 
sings and protection of Heaven are at all times 
necessary, but especially so in times of public dis- 
tress and danger. The General hopes and trusts, 
that every officer and man will endeavor so to live 

21 



22 3xit\ fC^aurmuflrtli 

and act as becomes a Christian soldier; defending 
the dearest rights and liberties of his country.'' 

October 7, 1777. - ' The situation of the Army fre- 
quently not admitting of the regular performance of 
Divine service on Sundays, the Chaplains of the 
Army are forthwith to meet together and agree on 
some method of performing it at other times, which 
method they will make known to the Commander- 
in-Chief.'' 

The organization of the Army dates from Sep- 
tember 29, 1789, but it was not until the act of March 
3, 1791, that the ofRce of chaplain received recogni- 
tion. The strength of the army was fixed at 2,232 
officers and men while that of chaplain at one, and 
his appointment left to the President, should he 
"deem the same necessary to pubhc interest." 

In 1796 Congress again reorganized the Army, 
but failed to provide for the office, reviving it under 
the act of 1798 to the same number, though it in- 
increased the army to 14,000 officers and men. 

In 1799 the number of chaplains was increased to 
four, and again discontinued under the act of May 14, 
1800. A period of four years now elapsed before 
Congress again re-established the office. Under the 
act of April 12, 1808 the number of chaplains was 
fixed at eight, and by a subsequent act March 3, 1813, 
was further increased to sixteen. Two years passed 
when Congress again legislated on the office. Un- 
der the act of 1815 came a reduction of the army 
and the number of chaplains was placed at four. 
This number continued until 1821 when, under a re- 
organization act for the seventh time since 1789, the 
office was entirely abolished. 

Although Congress eliminated all chaplains from 
the army, it was not to be expected that the chris- 
tian people of the country would permit this state of 



3lta ail|urrl|r0 m\h grlioola 23 

affairs to exist without a protest; although the 
country's protectors of its immense lines of frontier 
were serving outside of the lines of civilization 
with no opportunity to attend divine worship, it was 
not to be expected that the christian men and women 
of the army, would submit silently to the refusal of 
Congress^^; to furnish the channels through which to 
secure spiritual consolation; something not even de- 
nied the Indians and for whose protection the army 
was used. 

It was, however, sometime, before demands 
were made upon Congress to provide chaplains for 
the army. 

In 1831 the Secretary of War, Hon. Lewis Cass, 
in his annual report to the President, referring to 
the failure of Congress to provide for the spiritual 
welfare of the soldier said: 

* 'The American soldier is well paid, fed, and 
clothed; and, in the event of sickness or disability, 
ample provision is made for his support. But his 
moral culture is wholly neglected. There is no ar- 
rangement in our service for his mental or religious 
improvement. And there is perhaps no similar ser- 
vice in which such a measure is more necessary. 
Many of the positions occupied by our troops are up- 
on the verge of civilization, or beyond it. There 
they are retained for years, and under circumstances 
which, if not counteracted, almost necessarily lead 
to great demoralization. None of the ordinary means 
of instruction are within their reach, and neither 
their habits nor principles can be improved or fort- 
fied by those institutions, which are elsewhere gen- 
erally estabhshed, and so useful. Independently of 
any obhgation which may be supposed to exist on the 
part of the Government to provide for the moral as 
well as the physical wants of a class of men who, in 



2Jlf 3atX iCraurnwnrtlj 

devoting themselves to the service of the country, 
become unable to provide for their own wants, it is 
certain that, as a question of expediency, this meas- 
ure is recommended by powerful considerations. 
Where moral and religious principles are practically 
acknowledged, their sanctions will add vitally to the 
obHgation voluntarily assumed by the soldier, and 
his duties will be performed with more fidelity and 
alacrity. As he becomes a better man he will be- 
come a better soldier. Discipline and subordination 
will be promoted, punishment diminished, and all 
the details of the service will feel the spirit of im- 
provement. I am satisfied, that the appointment of 
chaplains, and their employment at such of our mili- 
tary posts as, from their position and the strength 
of the garrisons, may seem to call for such a meas- 
ure, would be productive of great advantages to the 
service; and to the soldiers individually the measure 
would be equally beneficial. Reproof and exhorta- 
tions in hfe, and the consolations of religion in 
death, would be freely ofi'ered them. The experi- 
ment, I think, is worthy of trial; and the expense 
can scarcely be placed in fair competition with an ob- 
ject which promises such useful results for the pres- 
ent improvement and future happiness of the sol- 
diers." 

In a communication addressed to Hon. Benjamin 
Swift, a United States senator from Vermont, Lieu- 
tenant J. S. Gallagher, 2d U. S. Infantry, on **the 
want of moral and religious instruction in the army," 
under date of February 17, 1836, makes these com- 
ments: 

"Provision is made by law for the religious and 
moral wants of the navy, at an expense of ten or 
twelve thousand dollars annually. 



itB (El?«rri)^^a attb ^rl^inla 25 

"A chaplain is supported by the government at 
West Point. 

** Chaplains are provided for both houses of 
Congress. So that the principle of sustaining relig- 
ious teachers by government is established. 

''Of the thousands of public servants in the civil 
departments scarcely any are so situated as to be 
shut out from religious privileges. The army in this 
respect stands alone. 

''The estimate put on the means of religion is 
shown by the fact that almost every community sus- 
tains a religious teacher. What would be thought of 
a proposition to depose every minister of the gospel 
and close every church in the land? And yet in such 
an event the community would be in precisely the 
situation of the greater part of the army. 

"Nowhere more than in the army are the fruits 
of rehgion needed; fidelity, temperance, and cheerful 
obedience are the sinews of its efficiency. At a mil- 
itary post in the north, where a faithful minister was 
employed, scarcely a man was confined for a military 
offence for upwards of a year. One hundred in- 
stances of confinement, among the same number of 
men within the same period, have I known at other 
posts. If fifty temperate and faithful men would be 
as efficient as sixty, one-third of whom were more or 
less intemperate, and the temperance and fidelity of 
the former resulted from Christian principle diffused 
by the labors of a faithful chaplain, then would the 
employment of such chaplains at our several military 
posts be equivalent to increasing the army by more 
than a thousand men. I state these proportions 
merely to illustrate the importance of religious in- 
fluence on the efficiency of the army, and the true 
economy of securing it, without intending to affirm 
that one-third or one-quarter of the enlisted men are 
intemperate, the proportion of the intemperate may 
be, and I hope is, much less than one in four. 



Jffnrt ICpauFtimnrtii 



"Such is the position of a number of our frontier 
posts that the mihtary come in direct contact with 
the Indians; how desirable that their influence should 
be one of unmixed good. 

*'The deprivation of religious institutions is felt 
by a large class who have spent their best days in 
the service. Many of the older officers and soldiers 
have families; and who does not appreciate the ad- 
vantages of public religious instruction on the Sab- 
bath in the education of children? 

** Great is the value of religious instruction to 
those who are by their profession frequently exposed 
to death. More than five hundred men have died at 
one post in Arkansas in about twelve years not far 
from two hundred fell victims to the cholera in the 
campaign against the Sac and Fox Indians; between 
one and two hundred have fallen in battle with the 
Seminole Indians within a few months. How can 
the government expose so many men to death with- 
out affording them the ordinary means of preparing 
for its consequences? Little as we may improve by 
these means while in health and safety, in the hour 
of dissolution the truths we had heard might become 
the foundation of hope, and shed their light upon the 
valley of death.'' 

Under date of Fort Towson, January 12, 1836, 
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Vose, 3d Infantry, com- 
manding the post, communicated his views on the 
subject of the need of chaplains in the army, in the 
following to Hon. John Davis, a United States sena- 
tor from Massachusetts: 

**The appointment of chaplains in the United 
States army has been frequently recommended by 
the different Presidents and Secretaries of War; but 
I believe Congress has never acted upon the subject, 
and I presume it has been more from want of time 
than other cause. 



3ftB (EI|«rrl|rB mxh 0rI|oiilB 27 

"I now take the liberty to request that you will 
use your influence for the passage of a law authoriz- 
ing the appointment of chaplains for the army, pro- 
vided the subject should be brought forward and 
you should be of the opinion that such appointments 
are expedient. I have been in the army for nearly 
twenty-four years, and I am now convinced, from 
past experience, that nothing will add so much to the 
respectability and eflficiency of the army as the appoint- 
ment of chaplains and the regular public worship of 
God at our military posts on the Sabbath. 

"It is found that where the Sabbath is properly 
observed, and public worship held, that there are few 
desertions, less intoxication, and a more healthy and 
efficient command. Saturday is the inspection day; 
and as mihtary duties are prohibited on the Sabbath 
and labor usually suspended on that day, the men 
unless they attend public worship, will pass their 
time in idleness and dissipation. 

**Let there be chaplains appointed for every 
military post, and let officers, as well as men, be re- 
quired to attend public worship on the Sabbath, and 
we shall see, very soon, an astonishing change in the 
moral character of our army; provided, however, 
that the chaplains are the right kind of men. They 
should not be men who seek the office merely for its 
emoluments; they should be men of talents, of social 
habits, and, above all, of undoubted piety. Such men 
would do good, and such men can be found, who 
would cheerfully enter the service for a compensa- 
tion of $800 or $1,000 per year. The whole cost to 
the government would not be more than fifty to sixty 
thousand dollars per annum. 

**As we have an overflowing treasury, and money 
that our legislators will find difficulty to dispose of, 
it is to be hoped that in their wisdom they will con- 



3Fnrt ICraii^nmnrtJi 



sider the moral condition of the poor soldier, and 
pass a law which may be instrumental in making 
them better men, and preparing them for another 
and better world. 

''Much more might be said upon this subject, 
but I will not take up your time, which, I am sensible, 
is fully occupied by your public duties. 

"I indulge the behef that you will excuse the 
freedom I have taken in writing to you, and that you 
will give the measure I have proposed, if it should be 
brought up during the present session, your cordial 
support.*' 

Again in 1836 Hon. B. F. Butler, Secretary of 
of War, ad interim, in his annual report, calls the 
attention of the President to the necessity of making 
some provisions for securing to the army the service 
of chaplains. He calls attention to the fact * 'that the 
act of April 12, 1808, required one chaplain, with the 
pay and emoluments of a major of infantry, to be 
appointed to each brigade. This provision was con- 
tinued in force until superseded by the act of March 
3, 1815, fixing the military peace establishment, and 
there is now no authority for employing such an 
officer in the army at the public expense, except at 
the Military Academy. 

"The Constitution of the United States has wise- 
ly provided that Congress 'shall make no law res- 
pecting an estabhshment of religion, or prohibiting 
the free exercise thereof;' but this cannot lessen the 
obligation of Congress to furnish the officers and 
men employed in the military service such opportu- 
nities of religious worship and of moral culture as 
may be compatible with appropriate duties of the 
army. And when it is considered tliat even the 
common soldier resumes, sooner or later, the char- 
acter of a citizen, how important does it become that 



3lt0 (fll|urdirfi anil ^cI^ooIb 29 

he should be shielded from the pernicious influences 
to which a military life is usually exposed. The en- 
lightening and tranquilizing effect of a regular at- 
tendance on pubhc worship, and the aid which a 
judicious and devoted chaplain may give in the pro- 
motion of discipline and subordination, ought not to 
be overlooked in the organization of an army. 

"Since 1815 the services of chaplains at the fixed 
posts have frequently been secured by voluntary 
contributions, collected and applied, as I understand 
by the council of administration. As the officers 
composing that council will be enabled to consult the 
wishes of the garrison, and are in other respects 
better qualified to make judicious selections for ser- 
vices of this nature than the authorities at the seat 
of government, I recommend the passage of a law 
authorizing them to select and employ chaplains 
from time to time, and giving to the persons so em- 
ployed the pay and emoluments of such grade as 
Congress may think proper to prescribe. To each 
regiment when employed in the field, a like arrange- 
ment might be extended. '^ 

In the 2d session of the 25th Congress, 1837-8, 
an army reorganization bill was enacted. It con- 
tained a section reviving the office of chaplain, leav- 
ing their selection to the post council of administra- 
tion, subject to the approval of the Secretary of 
War, and in the transmission of such names * 'the 
recommendation of the highest ecclesiastical author- 
ity of the communion to which the applicant be- 
longs" was required. His monthly pay was not to 
exceed forty dollars, and four rations per day, 
quarters and fuel. 

Upon the passage of the bill. Senator Benton of 
Missouri, from the committee on military affairs, in- 
troduced a supplementary bill, which explained, limi- 



30 3F0rt IC^au^nmnrtlj 

ted and modified certain sections of the enacted bill. 
With reference to the chaplains, provisions of this 
supplementary bill provided ''that the posts at which 
chaplains shall be allowed, shall be limited to the 
number of twenty, and their selection shall be ap- 
proved by the Secretary of War, and shall be con- 
fined to places most destitute of instruction.^^ 

Under the provisions of this act whiskey was 
eliminated from the soldier's ration, and a more liberal 
allowance of coffee and sugar made. 

Senator Benton, in discussing the provisions re- 
lating to chaplains, said that chaplains are to perform 
double duty of inculcating the gospel, and give in- 
structions to the children of the post. 

After an experience of six years with chaplains 
in the army General Winfield Scott, in his annual re- 
port for 1844, has this to say of their work: 

*'To the introduction of chaplains at isolated 
points, to the intelligence, morals and vigilance of 
officers, primarily due to the military academy, and 
to the spread of temperance associations and habits, 
is directly to be attributed that happy melioration in 
the basis of the army. And it may be boasted, as it 
might have been at any time in a series of years, 
not a duel has occurred between commissioned 
officers.'' 

Upon the declaration of war with Mexico, Con- 
gress authorized a chaplain for each regiment raised 
for the war. It conferred upon the President the 
power to order chaplains to the theater of action. It 
is not known whether any such chaplains declined to 
go to the firing line, but the fact that the President 
was directed to declare any such office vacant where 
its occupant declined to do so, leaves ground for in- 
ference that such might have been the case or was 
expected. 



3itH (IIl|itrrI|rB m\h ^t^aals 31 

March 2, 1849, Congress increased the number 
to thirty, and under an act approved February 21, 
1857, their monthly pay was not to exceed sixty dol- 
lars, subject to the approval of the post council. 

During the war of the rebellion a chaplain was 
authorized for each regiment of volunteers, with the 
pay and allowances of a captain of cavalry (Act ap- 
proved July 22, 1861). By an act approved August 
3, 1861, none but ministers of some Christian denom- 
ination were eligible for appointment. Under an 
act approved May 30, 1862, the President was author- 
ized to appoint a chaplain for each general hospital, 
and later, under an act approved July 17, 1862, his 
pay and allowances were fixed and the qualifications 
for the office established. Rank, without command, 
was conferred by the act of April 9, 1862, in which 
enactment his duties were still further defined. By 
section 31 of the act of July 28, 1866, the existing 
force of chaplains was recognized and continued, and 
one chaplain authorized for each regiment of colored 
troops established, ** whose duty shall include the 
instruction of the enlisted men in the common Eng- 
lish branches of education." By Section 7 of the 
act approved March 2, 1867, the rank of captain of 
infantry, without command, was conferred, and 
chaplains were placed on the same footing in respect 
to pay, allowances, and emoluments as other officers 
of the army. Under Section 12 of the act of February 
2, 1901, the distinction between post and regimental 
chaplains was abolished and chaplains w^ere required 
to be assigned to regiments of the line or to stations 
occupied by the troops of the corps of artillery. 

The last legislation affecting the corps is con- 
tained in the act approved April 21, 1904. Under its 
provisions all persons appointed shall have the grade, 
pay and allowances of a first lieutenant mounted, 



3Fnrt ICf an^nwortli 



and that of captain mounted after seven years ser- 
vice; it also authorizes the President to confer the 
grade, pay and allowances of major upon those hav- 
ing ten years service as captains who have been 
commended as worthy of special distinction for ex- 
eptional efficiency. 



CHAPTER^III 

DILIGENT ATTENDANCE AT DIVINE SERVICE SUG- 
GESTED TO OFFICERS AND MEN 

SHE necessity for attending divine service on 
the part of officers and enlisted men had evi- 
dently forced itself upon the military authorities as 
shown for the first time by the following paragraphs 
of the army regulations of 1847: 

273. By the 2nd article of War, it is earnestly 
recommended to all officers and soldiers diligently 
to attend divine service; and Congress has also pro- 
vided for the means of its performance, by granting 
chaplains to the army; and in order that their ex- 
ertions may be attended with beneficial consequen- 
ces, it is necessary that the officers in command, 
where chaplains are allowed, should cause the men 
to be assembled on each Sunday for religious service; 
and it is recommended to all chaplains that the ser- 
vice of that day be closed with a short practical ser- 
mon, suited to the habits and understandings of 
soldiers. 

274. Officers in command of posts, or stations, 
to which chaplains are not appointed, are recom- 
mended to provide for the religious duty of the Sab- 
bath, by attending, with their officers and men, on 
divine worship, whenever a neighboring church, or 
religious congregation, may offer a proper oppor- 
tunity. 

275. The men are to attend divine service with 
their side arms, and they are to be marched with the 
utmost regularity to and from the church or place 
where divine service is performed. 

276. The wives and families of soldiers are also 
to be encouraged to attend divine service. 

33 



These requirements continued in force until the 
regulations of 1861 made their appearance. Since 
that time there has been no direction in any official 
publication relating to * 'diligent attendance at divine 
service" beyond the article of war above referred to 
and which is now numbered 52. 



itmaton ^l^nt 

Jffnrt Sl^awntu0rtlj 



35 



CHAPTER IV 

ROLL OF CHAPLAINS IN THE ORDER OF ASSIGNMENT, 
WHO HAVE SERVED AT THE POST 

/jTOMPLYING with the act of 1838, the War De_ 
^^ partment announced in General Orders No. 29, 
of the same year, eleven posts as coming within the 
class deemed by Congress to be * 'destitute of in- 
struction," including Fort Leavenworth. Under 
this authority the council of administration 
selected Rev^. Henry Gregory. He served here from 
December 17, 1838, until September 30, 1839, so that 
to him belongs the distinction of being the first 
army chaplain to serve at this post. 

Below is the roster of chaplains who have served 
at Fort Leavenworth: 

1838-1839 -Rev. Henry Gregory 
1842-1859-Rev. Leander Ker 
1859-1868— Rev. Hiram Stone 
1872-1873-Rev. William Vaux 
1874-1882-Rev. John Woart 

1882 Rev. David White 

1882-1889 -Rev. T. W. Barry 
1889-1891 -Rev. Henry Swift 
1891-1892-Rev. C. C. Pierce 
1892-1893-Rev. W. K. Tulley 
1893-1894 -Rev. C. C. Pierce 
1894-1902-Rev. George Robinson 
1902-1905-Chaplain J. A. Randolph, 6th Inf. 
1905-1908-Chaplain John T. Axton, 18th Inf. 
1908-1911-Chaplain Henry Swift, 13th Inf. 
1912 Chaplain James L. Griff es, 7th Inf. 

Between the date of Chaplain Gregory's resig- 
nation and September 23, 1842, the post was with- 

37 



^int iCpaupnuiortJj 



out a chaplain. There is nothing in the records of 
the War Department to throw any light upon the 
matter. It is quite probable that the post council 
either failed to designate anyone for the place, or 
met with difficulty in securing a clergyman fitted for 
the position. 

Rev. Leander Ker, an Episcopalian clergyman, 
was finally selected by the council and began his 
ministrations in September, 1842. He continued in 
this service until March 3, 1859, an unusual length of 
time to remain at the same station, indicating a sat- 
isfactory performance of duties under varied con- 
ditions of military service and the many changes in 
the personnel of the post council, a military require- 
ment often made necessary. Unfortunately, neither 
of these two clergymen left behind them any records, 
or journals from which to extract interesting fea- 
tures of their service. 

In 1859 the chaplaincy at Fort Leavenworth be- 
came vacant upon the resignation of Chaplain Ker. 
The officers of the post expressed their readiness to 
secure this position for Rev. Hiram Stone of 
Leavenworth. 

Mr Stone, feeling it a duty to continue his labors 
in the Parish which he had established at Leaven- 
worth in 1856 and worked for nearly three years, 
dechned the offer. Later this declination was re- 
considered and his friends at Fort Leavenworth 
advised, that if they saw proper to renew their offer 
of several months previous to elect him as their 
chaplain, he would accept the position. 

This led to an invitation to preach at the post the 
following day, Sunday, September 25th. On Monday, 
Sept. 26th a meeting of the Post Council of Admin- 
istration was called by ColonelJustin Dimmick,* post 

* Colonel 1st Artillery; graduate class of 1819; brevetted 
in 1865 a brigadier-general for gallant and faithful service to 
his country; died October 13, 1871. 




Chaplain GEO. ROBINSON 
U. S. A., Retired 

Chaplain HIRAM STONE t 
Chaplain JOHN WOART t 



Chaplain J. T. AXTON 
18th Infantry 



3(tB (EI|urdtra anb ^rl|iialfi S9 



commander, the council consisted of Captains Ar- 
nold Elzey*, James Tottent and Wm. F. Barry. § By an 
unanimous vote of the council Mr. Stone was elected 
post chaplain of Fort Leavenworth, notice of the 
election being duly forwarded to the Secretary of 
War for his approval. 

Monday, October 24th. Mr. Stone tendered to the 
Vestry of St. Paul's Church his resignation and ad- 
vised it that his election to the chaplaincy of Fort 
Leavenworth was approved. 

At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Parish 
of Leavenworth City, on the 28th day of October 
1859, the following preamble and resolutions were 
unanimously adopted: 

''Whereas, our beloved pastor, the Rev. Hiram 
Stone has expressed to the congregation and mem- 
bers of this church, his determination to leave them 
for the purpose of continuing his holy labors in an- 
other portion of God's vineyard, be it Resolved, that 
we have heard the announcement of his departure 
with feelings of the most profound sadness and re- 
gret. That we have ever found in him a man void 
of offence, a christian of exemplary piety, and a min- 
ister so zealous and efficient that we cannot hope to 
have his place supplied. His works are a monument 
of his goodness and pastoral abihty, while the 
poignant regret of the flock to whose spiritual wants 
he has ministered during the last three years and the 
fervent prayers that follow him in his separation 

* Captain 1st Artillery; graduate class of 1839; resigned 
1861; major-general C. S. A; died February 21, 1871. 

X Captain 2d Artillery; graduate class of 1841; brevetted 
brigadier-general for gallant and meritorius service during 
the war; died October 2, 1871. 

§ Colonel 2d Artillery; graduate class of 1838; brevetted 
major-general for gallant and meritorius service during the 
war; died July 18, 1879. 



from them, abundantly testify to the fact that he 
has followed in the footsteps of the Apostles of old, 
and proved himself a bright example for those who 
mourn his loss. 

* 'Resolved, that we tender to him our most sin- 
cere and heartfelt gratitude for his pious efforts 
among us, and point to his unparalleled success in 
building up and adding to this congregation as an 
illustration of the wisdom with which the Domestic 
Committee select the laborers in the great work of 
spreading the gospel and calling sinners to repet- 
ance. 

"Resolved, that we congratulate the post to 
which he has removed as the scene of his future 
labors, upon the acquisition of a pastor unexception- 
able in all the social relations of life, unexcelled in 
zeal and devoted piety, and possessing every quality 
of an able and useful rector. 

''Resolved, that in bidding adieu to our revered 
and beloved shepherd, we extend to him and his 
family, for all time to come, a place in our hearts 
and a hearty welcome to our homes. 

{Signed) Alex. T. Maison, 

Secretary. * ' 

With the appearance of Mr. Stone in the Fort 
Leavenworth field, a pulpit he had frequently filled 
while in charge of St. Paul's, the posts' church his- 
tory began and was duly and daily recorded by Mr. 
Stone, not in compliance with any military require- 
ment, but a duty he believed was due the church 
and himself. This, proved, indeed, a fortunate view 
for those who followed him, and because the record 
then begun has been well maintained and in numer- 
ous instances proved of great value and will be re- 
ferred to further on. 

An incident led to the discovery of Chaplain 
Stone's journal and deserves relating in order to 



3ltB ail|urrl|r0 aub ^rtinola Ul 



make this history what its author desires it to be, a 
"look into the past," through glasses, the accuracy 
of which could not be questioned. 

Chaplain Stone's death occurred at Litchfield, 
Conn., April 3, 1911, and this led to the find of the 
journal from which it is proposed to present copious 
extracts. The correspondence which follows will ex- 
plain how the author came into its possession, which, 
otherwise, might have been laid away among the 
family heirlooms only to find its way, in due time, 
to the junkshop. 

Litchfield, Conn., April 13, 1911. 
Mr. Henry Shindler, 

Dear Sir:— The Postmaster has put me in possession 
of your communication, and the copy of The Leavenworth 
Times containing article relative to my late husband, the Rev. 
Hiram Stone, which I have perused with great interest quick- 
ened by the late review I made with him of his private jour- 
nal covering all the official acts of his life from the time of 
his entering the ministry, until within a few months of his 
death. I shall be glad to confer with you in any way relating 

to Mr. Stone. 

Very sincerely yours, 

MRS. HIRAM STONE. 

The author's answer follows: 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, April 17, 1911. 
Mrs. Hiram Stone, 

Litchfield, Conn. 

My Dear Mrs. Stone:— lam in receipt of your kind 
favor of the 13th instant and beg to thank you sincerely for so 
prompt a response. I had no idea that my request to your 
postmaster would find such a fruitful field for the material de- 
sired for my history of Fort Leavenworth. 

It was by mere accident I picked up a copy of the New 
York Evening Post and observed, in its obituary column, the 
name of Hiram Stone. The notice drew my attention and 
on reading it discovered it was the same chaplain who minis- 
tered here so many years ago and for so long a time, i 
promptly wrote a story about his death for The Leaven- 
worth Times, because of local interest, and then decided 
to send a copy to your postmaster with the request that it be 



U2 Jffort IGrauFuuiortlj 

handed, if possible, to some near relative where it may lead 
to the discovery of papers covering his ministerial work at 
this post. 

Some years ago I published a pamphlet on "Public Wor- 
ship at Fort Leavenworth" and am pleased to hand you a 
copy. I labored under peculiar conditions in its preparation, 
as you will observe, but since then I have found much other 
material and with what I hope to obtain from you will revise 
same to date. I had no thought of finding the widow of the 
chaplain, and in possession of his journal. We have already 
had evidence of the thoroughness of his work here from the 
minutes he furnished a few years ago and to which I made 
reference in my newspaper story. 

Now, Mrs. Stone, do you propose to publish the journal 
in book form? If not, why not present these papers to the 
Kansas State Historical Society where they will finally appear 
in one of its bi-annual publications? The fact that Chaplain 
Stone was among the early Episcopal missionaries in this sec- 
tion would make his journal very valuable out here. Recent 
publications of the society have contained the recollections 
of many early missionaries and the addition of the journal of 
Chaplain Stone would add to the value of this class of histor- 
ical matter. 

In the mean time, of course, I would like to secure the 
use of the journal for a short time to permit me to make ex- 
tracts. Whatever you may decide on its final disposition I 
beg that you permit its use for the purpose stated. Chaplain 
Stone's work here is so interwoven with Fort Leavenworth 
history that any paper covering his work would be of great- 
est interest to readers in the army and in Kansas. 
Trusting to hear from you 

I beg to remain sincerely, 
' ' ' HENRY SHINDLER 

Mrs. Stone kindly consented to the use of the 
journal for the purpose stated by the author. 

Chaplain Stone remained on duty at Fort Leav- 
enworth until 1868. Not again until 1872 was the 
post supplied with a chaplain. In July of 
of that year Chaplain William Vaux was assigned to 
duty here, reporting on August 2. His ministry, 
however, was cut short a year later, August 27, 1873, 
When he was sent to another station. 



3tH C[It|urrI|PH nixh ^rlioola 43 

The post pulpit remained vacant for a year, 
Leavenworth ministers being employed to occupy it 
until a regular assignment wsls made. Late in the 
fall of 1874, Post Chaplain John Woart reported for 
duty and ministered to the people here until Feb- 
ruary 13, 1882, v^hen orders from the War Depart- 
ment carried him to the Department of California. 
He remained on duty there but a short time retiring 
from active service the same year. His death oc- 
curred in November, 1893. 

The Post Chapel record contains the following 
entry on the day Chaplain Woart bid adieu to this 
field: 

"He that has God his guardian made, 

Shall under the Almighty shade 
Secure and undisturbed abide; 

This to my soul of him Pll say 
He is my fortune and my stay 
My God in whom I will confide." 
Chaplain David White succeeded Chaplain Woart. 
He remained on duty at the post until the date of his 
retirement June 30, 1882. He died at Lawrence, 
Kansas, October 2, 1902. 

Chaplain Thomas W. Barry reported for duty 
in August, 1882. He had been for a number of years 
the officiating clergymen of St. PauPs at Leaven- 
worth and through the personal efforts of the late 
General Pope* received the appointment of post chap- 
lain and an assignment to this station. Chaplain 
Barry officiated at the post for several years and 
then transferred to Fort Riley. While stationed at 

*Major General John Pope commanded the Department 
of the Missouri, with heaquarters at Fort Leavenworth from 
May 3, 1870, to November 1, 1883. He retired from active ser- 
vice March 15, 1886, and died in St. Louis, Mo., September 23 
1892. 



IfJf Jffnrt ICf atJ^miiortly 

Fort Monroe, Va. , he was stricken with appoplexy 
and died February 24, 1904. 

Post Chaplain Henry Swift succeeded Chap- 
lain Barry's place and continued here until 1891. 

In 1891 Post Chaplain C. C. Pierce, was assigned 
to duty at the U. S. Military Prison. Being the only 
chaplain available to officiate at the post chapel he 
filled its pulpit for several months following Chaplain 
Swift's departure and subsequent to the resignation 
of Chaplain Tully, until a chaplain was regularly as- 
signed. A notable event during Chaplain Pierce's 
ministry at the post chapel was his conversion from 
the Baptist faith to that of the Protestant Episcopal 
denomination. He was ordained a deacon in the post 
chapel by Bishop Thomas and later by the same 
church dignitary consecrated a priest in St. Paul's 
Episcopal Church at Leavenworth. 

Chaplain W. K. Tulley followed Chaplain Swift 
and while serving at the post resigned from the army 
November 17, 1893. 

Chaplain George Robinson succeeded Chaplain 
Pierce. Chaplain Robinson left here early in 1901 
for duty in the Philippines. From the time of his de- 
parture until the arrival of Chaplain J. A. Randolph, 
Sixth Infantry, in July 1902, the post was not served 
officially by a chaplain. 

Chaplain Randolph remained until February, 1905, 
and was, the following month, succeeded by Chaplain 
John T. Axton, Eighteenth Infantry. 

Chaplain Axton remained until 1908, long sub- 
sequent to the departure of his regiment for the 
Philippines, a retention made necessary because of 
the absence, on special duty in the Philippines, 
of Chaplain Henry Swift, Thirteenth regiment 
of Infantry, which came to this station in the fall of 
1907. A few months following Chaplain Axton's de- 



3lt0 (Bi)nrd)tB a«h Bcl^aoiB ^5 

parture Chaplain Swift arrived and took up the 
work. This regiment again departed for the Phihp- 
pines in the month of October, 1911, and with it Chap- 
lain Swift. 

On January 14, 1912, Chaplain James L. Griffes, 
7th Infantry, reported for duty and is now so serv- 
ing. 



iimatnn 3aut 



Qllfaplatn ^tom^B Sonvnul of ^^ruto 
at iFort foawntunrtlj 



47 



CHAPTER V 

INTERESTING HISTORY FURNISHED BY CHAPLAIN 
stone's JOURNAL 

7j|)EVEREND Hiram Stone was born in the village 
^^ of Bantan Falls, county of Litchfield, Con- 
necticut July 24, 1824. At the end of his course of stu- 
dies in a Hartford Seminary, he was admitted on 
October 2, 1843, to the Holy Orders of Deacons and 
on November 19, 1854, to the Holy Order of Priests, 
being at this time the minister of St. John's Church 
at Essex. 

On April 30, 1856, he was appointed missionary 
to the Territory of Kansas, resigning his ministerial 
charge on that date and landed at Fort Leavenworth 
from the steamboat Australia on November 24 of the 
same year. 

On entering upon the duties of a missionary 
at Leavenworth City, Chaplain Stone found only 
three church families and the same number of com- 
municants. At the date of his resignation, there 
were upon the parish register 43 communicants and 
about an equal number of families; eleven persons 
had been confirmed, 34 baptisms had been solemnized 
and there was a Sunday school of about 30 children. 

From Chaplain Stone's journal, covering the en- 
tire field of his work in Kansas, everything pertain- 
ing to the Fort Leavenworth ministry has been ex- 
tracted and reproduced below. No change in lan- 
guage has been made, only such notes added as will 
tend toward a recognition of the names mentioned 
in the journal: 

"The organization of the parish was effected 
in the midst of those dreadful border troubles of 
Kansas, and its infant years were witness 

49 



50 3nxt ICran^ttmortlj 

to a fearful state of society incident to both border 
life and civil discords hitherto unknown in American 
history. 

"The fields of my army and missionary work be- 
ing so intimately connected, nearly the same ground 
is to be gone over in the case of both. The two places 
were situated but three miles apart, my residence at 
Leavenworth City being about three years and at 
Fort Leavenworth, eight years and a half. During 
this period of eleven and a half years, the church in- 
terests of the town and fort were closely interlaced, 
so that the reminiscences of each were largely asso- 
ciated with my experience. It is thus that in writ- 
ing my army memoirs of Kansas, that I must be- 
gin and close about with those already written of the 
Church. And a seeming repetition must appear at 
times as necessary to the separate history of each. 

"On leaving Wisconsin for Kansas, as before sta- 
ted in my church memoirs, I took letters of introduc- 
tion from Bishop Kemper to officers at Fort Leaven- 
worth. I went by railroad to Jefferson City, Missou- 
ri, and there took passage on the Steamer Australia 
for Fort Leavenworth. The whole country was in 
agitation over political affairs, and Kansas was the 
area on which all eyes of North and South were con- 
centrated. Crowds from both sections were flocking 
to the Territory, and the boat on which I had taken 
passage was loaded with passengers of opposite poli- 
tical sentiments, some of whom were quite demon- 
strative in giving expression to these. 

"The air seemed full of threatening aspect, and 
things looked not very inviting to Missionary opera- 
tions. My first introduction to Kansas was of this 
nature, as follows: As our Steamer progressed up 
stream, a settlement upon the right bank of the river 
came in sight. Passengers gathered on the deck 



3Jta QII)urrl|PH aub Bti^aola 51 

curious or else anxious to know what town we were 
approaching. I had observed a man bustling about 
the deck, apparently a person of some culture but evi- 
dently under the influence of strong drink. He 
rushed up to my side when I said, 'What place are 
we approaching'? He very brusquely answered, 
'Kansas City'. Then he continued, 'You are a cler- 
gyman are you not? I answered 'Yes'. 'Of what 
Church', he asked, 'The Episcopal Church' I re- 
plied. Then changing his point of interrogation he 
asked, 'Where are you from'? From Connecticut, I 
answered. To which he gave the bluff rejoinder, 
'We dont like you.' I replied in substance, I am 
going to Kansas as a Missionary, and if I mind my 
own business and do not interfere with others, I sup- 
pose that I may be let alone. His reply was, 'you may 
be, and you may not. ' Here the queer colloquial bare- 
faced introduction to my field of labor ceased. But the 
end was not yet. A short time afterward when set- 
tled in Leavenworth City, I met this same man who 
took board and lodging in the same house with me. 
He was uniformly courteous, never once alluding to 
our former meeting. He was a frequent visitor to 
my room. But on one evening he came to me in 
great haste, asking the loan of a dollar and a half 
till the next morning. But not having the exact change 
I handed him a five dollar bill. The sequel was, I 
never received a cent of it back again. The person 
proved to be a Doctor from Virginia by the name of 
Wibly and a Roman Catholic withal. The event oc- 
curing under the circumstances it did, it has been 
preserved as an incident of my Kansas experiences. 
"Landing at Fort Leavenworth November 24th, I 
went into the garrison. The first person I met and to 
whom I introduced myself, was Lieut. J. E. B. Stuart, 
afterwards known as the famous cavalry General in 



5 2 IFnrt IC^aurnmortli 



the Confederate service. I was hospitably enter- 
tained by Dr. John M. Coyler, a surgeon in the United 
States Army. 

*'We pass on to October, 1859, when I moved up to 
Fort Leavenworth as Chaplain and took quarters as- 
signed me in the post. A Sunday morning service 
was established in Chapel, and post school opened to 
be taught by me three hours in the forenoon. The 
Vestry had extended to me an invitation to supply 
St. Paul's Church with an afternoon service during 
its vacancy, which I did as already described. 

"Saturday, December 24th. Received a beauti- 
ful China Tea Set as a Christmas gift from Mrs. Maj. 
David Hunter* of Fort Leavenworth. 

"Tuesday, December 27th. received by mail from 
G. W. Morris, M. D. of Leavenworth City, $10 as a 
Christmas gift. The affairs of the nation were hast- 
ening to a bloody crisis in which the State of North 
Carolina took the lead by seceeding from the Union 
by a vote of its Convention December 20th, at 1:15 
o'clock P. M. 

' 1861. Friday, January 4th. A National Fast ob- 
served to-day by Proclamation of James Buchanan, 
President of the United States, because of the Seces- 
sion now threatening our Republic with dismember- 
ment. Service in Chapel, and Sermon from Psalm 
LVII-1. 

''Sunday morning, January 6th. Service and 
Communion; in consequence of the imminent danger 
now threatening the country and the peril endanger- 
ing the seat of Government, the entire military force 
at this post is to leave immediately, for Baltimore, 
Maryland, by order of General Winfield Scott, Com- 
mander-in-chief of the United States Army. 

* Major and Paymaster; graduate class of 1822; Major 
General U. S. Volunters. Died February 2, 1886. 



31ta (Eliurchf B aitb irlimilH 53 



''Sunday July 21st. Service, but no sermon be 
cause of rainy day. To-day occurred the first and 
sanguinary battle of the Civil War at Manassas, Vir- 
ginia, resulting in the repulse of the Federal troops 
and opening an awful rupture between the two great 
sections of our country, the North and the South. 

''Thursday afternoon, September 25th. National 
V^st by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln, 
service in Chapel, sermon from I. Peter V. 6. 

"Sunday morning, April 13th. Service in Chapel, 
but no sermon, I being called to offer prayer at the 
head of the troops on parade at noon, in compliance 
with a general order by the Secretary of War Hon. E. 
M. Stanton in consequence of the brilliant Federal 
victories of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of the pre- 
vious week, resulting in the capture of Island No. 10 
on the Mississippi River, and the total rout of the 
Confederate army at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. 

"Tuesday, April 24th, 5 o'clock P. M. Attended 
the funeral of Mr. Hiram Rich, for many years a sut- 
ler at this post. Mr. Rich died very suddenly of 
apoplexy, in the 62nd year of his age. 

"Sunday morning, August 31st. Fainted and fell 
while reading prayers, the remaining service of the 
day being suspended because of my illness. This 
sudden indisposition proved to be the premonition of 
an attack of fever and ague which I have escaped 
until this time, but the premonitory feelings 
I have experienced in my system for some months 
past. To which I may add that this is the only 
instance in my whole Hfe by which I lost consciousness 
through fainting or other causes. The chapel is 
undergoing a thorough refitting, being provided with 
new seats, chancel-rail, reading-desks, pulpit, carpet 
and other things requisite to give it quite a churchly 
appearance. 



5^ Jffnrt ICrau^nuinrtlf 

'1862 -Sunday, November 23d. The Rev. Joseph 
C. Talbot, Missionary Bishop of the Northwest, 
preached and administered confirmation at this post 
as elsewhere already mentioned. 

"1863 — Sunday morning, April 19th. Visitation 
by Bishop H. W. Lee of Iowa, who preached and 
confirmed Cornelius A. Logan, M. D.,* and his wife, 
Mrs. Zoe Logan, who out of personal regard and in 
consideration of our former relations, came up from 
Leavenworth City to receive confirmation. 

"Thursday morning, April 30th. Services in cha- 
pel, and sermon from Hosea IX-7, the occasion being 
a national fast by proclamation of President Lincoln. 

"Tuesday morning, November 26th. Preached 
from Phil. IV-6, being a national thanksgiving ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln. 

"1864— Sunday morning, September 11th. Visita- 
tion by Bishop Lee of Iowa, who preached in the Cha- 
pel from Phil. III-13, afternoon service in the gar- 
rison square, the occasion being a national thanks- 
giving by proclamation of President Lincoln for vic- 
tories at Atlanta, Ga., and in the harbor of Mobile, 
Ala., discourse by Bishop. 

"Wednesday morning, September 14th. Conven- 
tion of the diocese assembled at Atchison, the ser- 
mon being preached byme from Math. XXVIII-19-20. 
Dr. F. A. Vail elected Bishop of Kansas in the after- 
noon, this being the last visit of Bishop Lee to 
Kansas. 

"Thursday morning, December 15th. Attended 
the consecration of Dr. Vail at Muscatine and took 
part in the exercises as a delegate of the diocese. 

"1865— Sunday morning, January 8th. Rendered 

* Doctor Logan was appointed minister to Chile in 1874 
by President Grant. This appointment was made at the re- 
quest of his cousin, Senator John A. Logan of Ilhnois. 



3ltB ail)urrl|C0 uxxh ^rlumb 55 



the service. Bishop Vail, now on his first visitation 
to Kansas, making an address. 

"Monday morning, February 27th. I am informed 
by the post commander that an order was received 
from the Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, dis- 
charging me from my position as post chaplain. This 
proves to have been effected by the influence of cer- 
tain politicians in Kansas who wish to secure posi- 
tions for personal friends, two Methodist ministers 
of a decided stripe having been promised the chap- 
laincy at this post. I am among the last of those 
holding offices under the government in Kansas who 
have been removed on similar grounds. This politi- 
cal movement has called out my friends at the post 
who advise me to remain until the matter can be 
fairly represented at Washington, meanwhile I am 
invited by the commander of the post to supply the 
garrison with religious services the same as before. 

'Wednesday, April 5th. Received official an- 
nouncement that I am reinstated in the chaplaincy at 
this post by the Secretary of War, who, upon being 
informed concerning the true state of the case, re- 
voked his order of February 20th. 

' The circumstances herewith connected are some- 
what remarkable: The matter of my removal had 
been in the hands of certain political schemers for 
several months, who having made their requests at 
Washington, were impatiently awaiting my discharge 
in order to cancel their obligations by bestowing my 
position upon another party. In the meantime the 
whole covert maneuver became disclosed to the great 
mortification of those implicated. 

''So glaring and embarrassed was the position of 
one chief actor* that to save himself from insuppo_rt- 

^Maior H H. Heath was an officer of the Volunteer 
army, which he entered as captain of the 1st loja Cavalry 
in 1861 He was promoted a major m the 7th Cavalry Kegi 



56 Jffnrt ICj^aurnumrJJj 

able dishonor, he joined my friends in their efforts 
to secure my reinstatement, and even went so far as 
to write a personal communication to the Secretary 
of War withdrawing his application for my removal 
and asking that I might be reinstated. Others less 
conspicuous in the matter than he, sought to excuse 
themselves as best they could, each trying' to lay 
the blame on the other, exchanging mutual recrimi- 
nations, and in several instances engendering per- 
sonal hostilities which will probably never be recon- 
ciled. As nearly all the different actors have since 
professed to have no personal unfriendliness to- 
wards me, but on the other hand have shov/n a de- 
sire to secure my friendship, I here forbear to place 
hard names on record, content simply to note the 
facts and circumstances connected with my discharge 
and subsequent reinstatement. 

' 'See Appendix for full statement of this matter. 
To these original notes it may be added, that one of 
the chief conspirators who 'made no concession, 
ended his career soon afterwards by sending a pis- 
tol bullet through his brain. Some thought him in- 
sane while others considered this last act the sanest 
of his Hfe.'^ 

ment of the same state, May 15, 1863, promoted a colonel 
May 25, 1865, brevetted lieuteuant-colonel, colonel, and bri- 
gadier general and major general of volunteers Maich 13, 1865 
for gallant and meritorious service during the war and par- 
ticularly for gallant and meritorious service on the frontier 
while operating against hostile Indians. Honorably dis- 
charged July 1, 1866; died November 14, 1874. 

* Among the prominent leaders of the early days in Kan- 
sas was James H. Lane, U. S. Senator and general of militia. 
He scarcely had landed upon the soil of Kansas when he made 
his influence felt among the free-staters and at once became 
a recognized leader. Certain actions in the Senate lost him 
the confidence of many partisans. This so affected him that he 
came back to Kansas, and, on the first day of July, 1866, took 
his life on the Fort Leavenworth reservation. 



3lt0 OII)itrrl|rn aiib ^rtyunla 57 

''Good Friday, April 14th. Morning service, and 
an ex-tempore discourse from Matt. XXVII-46. On the 
evening of this day President Lincoln was assassi- 
nated in the theatre at Washington City, receiving a 
pistol shot in his head at the hands of John Wilkes 
Booth which terminated fatally in a few hours. 
Simultaneous with this assassination was an attack 
by a would-be assassin upon Hon. Wm. H. Seward, 
Secretary of State, who received several stabs in his 
person, but which fortunately did not prove fatal. 
The conspiracy which resulted in the above casual- 
ties seems to have had its origin with a few desper- 
ate characters who were exasperated at the failure of 
the rebel cause, which was hopelessly lost on the 9th 
instant when General Robert E. Lee surrendered the 
Confederate forces to General U. S. Grant of the 
United States army. 

''Easter Sunday, April 16th. Preached II Cor. 
V-I and administered the Communion; evening by 

Lane was born in Indiana, participated in the Mexican 
war, was later elected lieutenant-governor of his state and 
came to Kansas in 1854. He was elected to the Senate upon 
Kansas becoming a state and re-elected in 1865. Following 
his re-election he aided with President Johnson regarding 
certain measures which brought him in opposition to many 
of his partisan constituents and to the end of his political 
career. 

Lane returned to Kansas in June, 1866, and finding condi- 
tions as related, started to return to Washington, but his ill- 
ness became so serious that at St. Louis his physician advised 
his return to Kansas, as he was threatened with softening of the 
brain. He reached the farm of his brother-in-law, Captain 
McCall, on June 29th. On the first day of the following month 
while riding with Captain McCali and another gentlemen, and 
while nearing the reservation farm house on the south, now 
the site of the U. S. federal penitentiary, he alighted at one 
of the gates, and exclaiming, "Good-bye, gentleman," dis- 
charged a revolver in his mouth. He lingered until July 11 
when he passed into the great beyond. 



58 Jffort IC^atirnuinrtli 



extempore from I Cor. XV-16-18, the chapel draped 
in mourning by reason of the assassination of Presi- 
dent Lincoln. 

"Thursday morning, June 1st. Preached in chap- 
el from Zach. XII-10, the occasion being a national 
fast appointed by President Andrew Johnson by 
reason of the death of the late President Lincoln. 

''Sunday morning, July 23d. Preached from 
CXIX-180; during the afternoon Bishop Vail ad- 
dressed the inmates of the hospital; in the evening 
in the chapel, a sermon by the Bishop from Mark 
VI-6.'' 



CHAPTER VI 

CONCLUDING PERIOD OF CHAPLAIN STONE'S SERVICE 
AT FORT LEAVENWORTH 

/jTHAPLAIN Stone remained at Fort Leavenworth 
v!> until June, 1868. His ministry was in every way 
successful as the records testify. 

On April 14, 1868, Chaplain Stone asked the au- 
thorities to be relieved from further duty at the post. 
His reason for a transfer to Fort Sully, Dakota, is set 
forth in the following to the adjutant of the Post:^ 

'This post is of easy access to the city, contain- 
ing nearly twenty different congregations, and all 
who desire can have the benefit of religious services. 
On the other hand Fort Sully is an important post 
and wholly destitute of religious privileges, and the 
garrison greatly desire a chaplain. Feeling that my 
services are much more needed there than here, I re- 
spectfully request the above mentioned change." 

The post commander forwarded the application 
to the war department with his approval. In ^ due 
season an order arrived transferring the chaplain to 

Fort Sully. 

''Sunday morning. May 24th. Preached from Heb. 
IV-9, this being my farewell discourse. I am now in 
readiness to repair to Fort Sully, having made every 
preparation for departure, and only wait the arrival 
of a steamer upward bound that goes as far as my 
point of destination. 

"Before taking leave of Kansas there are various 
reminiscences which I desire to note as intimately 
connected with my army experiences. There are 
also other things relating to church and civil affairs 
which may come properly under review. My field 
of labor in Kansas was sadly affected by three 

59 



60 Ji^nrt ICpawrttmurtlf 



unusual conditions, namely, fierce border troubles 
arising from slavery, the Civil War which 
antagonized people otherwise at peace with each 
other, and the partisan movement causing division 
among brethren in the church. These combined, 
rendered my position and surroundings pecuHarly 
anomalous as not one of the three conditions often 
falls to the lot of a missionary in any new field. The 
interests of the Church, of Religion, and the Civil 
Government, were involved in these to a lesser or 
larger extent; and hence the difficulties of my labors 
thus far, were over and above what the average pio- 
neer encounters. Kansas was a field of peculiar 
trials and hardships to her early missionaries, and 
under this complication of affairs was especially so 
to me. It was my lot to engage in mission work, in 
army duties and also in both of these together. Dur- 
ing the war, as also before and afterwards, I ex- 
tended my labors to individuals, families, and places 
outlying my station elsewhere. While at Leaven- 
worth I supphed the Fort with various services, and 
when at the Fort I supplied the city at times like- 
wise. During all my residence between the two 
places, Kansas was in a disturbed and agitated state, 
many lawless marauders and desperate characters 
having concentrated within her borders. 

'*In the discharge of my labors I passed places 
where a man or woman had been waylaid, and per- 
haps murdered but a f^w hours before or afterwards. 
Repeatedly I have ridden out on horseback in the 
night to meet an engagement or answer a call, hold- 
ing the reins in one hand and a drawn pistol in the 
other, peering into the darkness, not knowing what 
was before me. To people of the old States in their 
safe homes and at their peaceful firesides this may 
seem somewhat unclerical and strange. But by such 



3(t0 CIII|urrI)PH mxh ^rl^nnlfi 61 

those terrible border times of Kansas can be but lit- 
tle realized or appreciated. In the discharge of my 
gospel mission and calling, I always thought that 
self-defense was the duty of everybody, and that I, 
the same as any other man, had a right to protect 
myself against a fierce wolf or a human ruffian. 
Though peacefully disposed, I deemed it proper in 
times of peril to go armed against assault. In this I 
had the example of the Good Shephard as my guide. 
On sending out his disciples, he bid them to go armed 
with a sword, and such as had not this weapon he 
instructed to sell his coat and buy one. By this I 
understand our Saviour to mean that his disciples 
should use the sword in self-defense if need he. In 
my own case I was fortunate in not having to use a 
weapon against man or beast, neither have I to re- 
proach myself for shrinking from the discharge of 
duty because of possible harm and threatened 
dangers. 

' 'Both of these prowled in that region at that 
time. 

* 'My residence in Kansas both as a missionary and 
as chaplain in the army brought me into acquaint- 
ance with many prominent officers, both Federal and 
Confederate. On the Union side were Generals 
Sherman, Sheridan, Hancock, Harney, Sumner, 
Sedgwick, Sykes, Curtis, Terry, Hoffman, Hunter, 
Blunt, Wessels, Stanley, Sturgis, Reno, Wood, Davies* 
Meigs, Barry, Easton, Ewing, Grierson, Custer, 
Card, Dimmick, Sully, Dodge, Steele, and others. 
On the Secession side were Generals Magruder, Pem- 
berton, J. E. B. Stuart, Lee, Elsey, and Jones. 

*Brigadier-General U. S. Volunteers. This oflBcer was 
in command of the artillery for the Northern District of Kan- 
sas. He had charge of the construction of the Fort Leaven- 
worth defenses in 1864 when Sterhng Price threatened the 
post with his confederate hosts. 



62 UTort ICrau^nmarth 



* 'Nearly all of the above named notables attended 
my chapel service, or on other military occasions. 
Besides those generals, there was a much larger 
number of officers of inferior rank among my ac- 
quaintances, who were deservedly distinguished and 
whom I remember with pleasure, but whose names 
are here omitted as too numerous to mention. Here 
concludes my Kansas Memoirs. 

''From the first Parish organization, I have been 
witness to the entire progress of the Church which 
has been carried forward on Kansas soil. I am now 
to bid adieu to the field wherein I have spent eleven 
years and a half of the very prime and strength of 
my ministerial life, and shall again cast my lot in a 
region altogether new, both as to civilization and 
Christian labor. 

"Wednesday evening, June 3, 1868, at 8 o'clock, 
went on board of the Steamer Agnes, Captain Thomas 
Scott, commander, taking my family, horse and car- 
riage, and all my worldly goods. It is a noteworthy 
coincidence that on arriving at Kansas, November 
24, 1856, I first touched soil at the landing at Fort 
Leavenworth, and that in leaving, I stepped aboard a 
boat from precisely the identical spot. In bidding 
farewell to Kansas, I leave a place full of reminis- 
cences, many of which are sad and many pleasing. 
For about three years I labored here as a pioneer 
missionary, and for upwards of eight years and a 
half as Chaplain in the United States Army. During 
this time, a State has been organized out of a ter- 
ritorial district, and the Church has effected a Dio- 
cesan organization from a Missionary jurisdiction 
having a Bishop at its head with some twelve clergy 
canonically resident. I leave all behind, and go to a 
military post more than 1,000 miles above on the 
upper Missouri. Farewell Kansas. Whether I shall 



3fta (Uliitrrhrfi m\h ^rtinolB 63 

ever visit you again, is known only to Him who 
knows the future as the present." 

"As throwing light upon the political condition 
of Kansas when I was there, the circumstances of 
my removal will furnish a fair illustration. Under 
the influence of James H. Lane who became United 
States Senator, a reign of terror prevailed. Govern- 
mental and civil offices and positions were used to 
further his designs and favor his adherents. Various 
civilians in government employ were discharged 
and others promoted, while military offices were con- 
ferred at the formation of volunteer regiments, to 
suit his personal aims and purposes. This applied 
particularly to Chaplains w^ho were appointed by the 
governor of the State. Lane was influential in this, 
and being himself professedly a Methodist, he sought 
to bestow his favors upon ministers of his denomina- 
tion. The chaplaincy at Fort Leavenworth was a 
coveted position and he desired to reward with this 
some of his favorites. There were some volunteer 
officers who dabbled in politics and who sought his 
influence iii getting promotion. One of these went 
to Washington and there engaged some leading poli- 
ticians in his favor, among whom was Senator James 
Harlan (of Iowa). These were baited with my position 
at which bait they readily bit; but as it proved there 
was a hook beneath, with double point and 
barb which hooked two ways. The following 
appHcations, of which I procured a copy, show 
the covert game which was being played by an Army 
officer and a member of Congi^ess. Both documents 
bore the same date, 'Washington, D. C, September 
23, 1864, and were addressed to the Secretary of 
War. These will speak for themselves: — 'Dear Sir: 
I have the honor to state, that, in accordance with 
our understanding of yesterday, relative to the post 



3ffort !C]paurttW0rtl| 



chaplaincy at Fort Leavenworth, I have consulted 
Mrith the Honorable Mr. Harlan, v^ho has recommend- 
ed the Rev. E. H. Winans, of Iowa, and I respect- 
fully recommend that he be appointed post chaplain 
of said post, in place of Rev. Mr. Stone, now there. 
With great respect, your obedient servant, 

Major H. H. Heath.' 

* 'Then follows the other application : 

'Dear Sir: 

The gentleman mentioned by Major Heath in the 
accompanying letter is a regular collegiate graduate, 
stands high in the confidence of the Church, has had 
experience some years since as a teacher — is mar- 
ried to an excellent lady the niece of Ex-Governor 
Wright, of Indiana, and of Chief Justice Wright, of 
Iowa. A better appointment could not be made. 
Your obedient servant. 

(Signed) James Harlan. ' 

''The above applications were referred back to 
Fort Leavenworth and were acted upon by the post 
council of which proceeding the following is a true 
copy: 'Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, January 30, 
1865. The council then proceeded to examine a re- 
commendation of Major H. H. Heath for a change 
in the post chaplaincy which application recommend- 
ed the Rev. E. H. Winans, of Iowa, to fill the place 
of Rev. Mr. Stone. The council in consequence of 
Major Heath having withdrawn his recommendation, 
agree and earnestly recommend the present Chaplain 
Mr. Stone be continued as post chaplain.' 

' 'The action of the post council was sent to the 
Secretary of War, and it was supposed that the mat- 
ter would end here. But under the influence of the 
other party the Secretary of War so far yielded as 
to issue a preemptory order for my discharge which 



3lta (ElturdiFfl m\h ^rl^oola 65 

order was'communicated to me on the morninp: of 
February 27, 1865. My friends still advised me to 
remain until they had made another effort on my 
behalf. Major McElroy* at Fort Leavenworth ad- 
dressed a letter to the wife of Postmaster General 
Dennison, setting- forth the facts of the case and 
asking her influence in my favor. The following 
letter received in reply will explain the result:— 

'Washington, March 24, 1865. I imagine you, Major 
McElroy, very much surprised on receiving a letter 
from me, instead of my mother. 

'Your pleading in behalf of Mr. Stone, was re- 
ceived by her a few days ago, and the pleasant duty 
of answering it was left to me, as she left for Colum- 
bus Monday before she could hear of the decision of 
War Department in regard to Mr. Stone. Much 
credit is due Major Davis, as they say in the news- 
papers, for his promptness in bringing the case be- 
fore the authorities and his success in putting it 
through. Mother gave him your letter and he called 
tonight to tell me that the order dismissing Mr. Stone 
was revoked, and the order would be sent tomorrow 
to that effect. It was considered a very unjust case 
of course, and as soon as investigation was made 
things were righted for which I am very glad,— my 
interest being excited by your appeal. 

''The following is a copy of the original order 
which gave final settlement of the case:— 

*Judge Advocate U. S. Volunteers. A cadet at West Point 
from 1866 to 1858; appointed to the volunteer service from 
Ohio, of which state he was a native. At the time of this con- 
troversy on duty at the Headquarters District of Kansas. His 
acquaintance with the wife of the Postmaster-General, an 
Ohio family, gave him an opportunity to serve a friend and 
to prevent a political outrage. 



66 3F0rt ICf anpttmnrtli 

'WAR DEPARTMENT 

ADJUTANT general's OFFICE, 

Washington, March 27, 1865. 
Commanding Officer, 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 
The instructions from this office, dated February 
20, 1865, directing the discharge of the Rev. Mr. 
Stone, employed as post chaplain at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, are revoked. 

By Order of the Secretary of War: 
(Signed) S. F. CHALFIN, 
Assistant Adjutant General.* 

"This settled at once and finally the whole mat- 
ter relating to my dismissal and reinstatement while 
chaplain in the United States Army. In this I feel 
that injured innocence was vindicated and that jus- 
tice ultimately prevailed. 

* 'Salvo jure' '—'' Without detriment to the right * ' 



StmBtnn Ifxw 






67 



CHAPTER VII 

ERECTION OF POST CHAPELS NOT AUTHORIZED UNTIL 

JULY 28, 1866. 

ALTHOUGH the government provided the post 
with a chaplain for a greater part of the period 
since 1838, it failed to authorize any expenditure for 
the erection of buildings in which to hold divine ser- 
vice until 1886, when such authorization found space 
in an act reorganizing the army. 

Fortunately, the post authorities were enabled to 
meet the want of such facilities by setting aside, from 
time to time, such rooms as could be spared. 

For a number of years, long prior to 1850, a one 
story frame building on what is now Scott Avenue, 
was used for chapel and school purposes. The build- 
ing occupied a site immediately south of the present 
post-office building, then used for a parsonage. Mr. 
Beddow, who came to the post in 1848 states that 
this was the building so used, while others who came 
here much later, question this claim. It is believed, 
however, that as the parsonage was erected immed- 
iately south of this building, it is more than probable 
that Mr. Beddow's claim is correct* Somewhere 
in the fifties the building was vacated and the chapel 
transferred to a large room in a one-story brick build- 
ing, where now stands Pope Hallt. For two months in 

* The building was later turned into oflficers' quarters and 
remained standing until about 1877. The author recalls the 
fact that Lieutenant J. W. Pope, Fifth Infantry, occupied a 
part of it. 

t Pope Hall was named in honor of Colonel James W. 
Pope, Assistant Quartermaster General, U. S. Army, who, as 
commandant of the U. S, Military Prison, planned the build- 
ing and superintended its construction with prison labor. 

69 



70 Jnrt iCratirttmiirtii 

1854, the room was vacated and used for the first 
capitol of the territory*, and on its vacation reoccu- 
pied. During this intermission two rooms in the 
south end of a dragoon barrack, later known as Mc- 
Pherson Hall, were used for chapel purposes. The 
occupation of the room in the one-story building con- 
tinued until 1878, when the present chapel, the con- 
struction of which began in that year, was occupied. 
In 1878 the authorities decided to provide the re- 
sidents with a chapel worthy of the post. The pres- 
ent chapel was the result. The site was formerly oc- 
cupied by the post trader's store, conducted by the 
late Hiram Rich, from 1841 until 1862. The chapel 
was constructed by authority of General Pope, ex- 
officio commandant of the U. S. Military Prison, with 
the labor of its inmates. Colonel Blunt, t ''governor*' 
of the Prison, supervised its construction. The cor- 
ner stone was laid Easter Sunday, May 5, 1878, by 
Bishop Vail, of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of 
Kansas. The ceremony of dedication took place No- 
vember 28, 1878. The placing of tablets upon the 
walls of the chapel to the memory of deceased offi- 
cers and enlisted men originated with the late Colo- 
nel W. J. Volkmar, Assistant Adjutant General of the 

This he accomplished at a cost to the government of less than 
$5000. The building was completed in the fall of 1894 and 
dedicated to amusement purposes by the Twentieth U. S. 
Infantry. 

* The act of 1854 organizing the territory of Kansas desig- 
nated Fort Leavenworth as its temporary capitol. This des- 
ignation met with such strenuous opposition on behalf of the 
War Department that Congress later made an appropriation 
of $50,000.00 for the erection of an executive building (capitol) 
at such point as the territorial legistature may have selected 
as a permanent capitol. 

tColonel Asa P. Blunt, an officer of the Quartermaster's 
Department, was "governor" and commandant of the prison 
from 1876 to January 1, 1888. He died October, 4 1889. 




FIRST POST CHAPEL AND SCHOOL WITH PARSONAGE, ON SCOTT AVENUE 
LOOKING SOUTH. PARSONAGE ON UPPER LEFT SIDE BEHIND ARCH 





|K^ 




M 


fffliiN 


"ps 




- *-^-- ,. -^^^iaK3in 



PRESENT POST CHAPEL 



3ftB Qlljurrlpfi anh ^rl|oola H 



army, then serving on the staff of General Pope. 
The plan was readily approved, and among the first to 
respond were the officers and men of the Seventh 
Cavalry. These caused three tablets to be placed in 
memory of their dead comrades over and on each side 
of the entrance, within the chapel walls. Later, 
others followed. To one long identified with the ar- 
my the reading of these tablets recalls memories and 
events which prove that the scythe in the hands of 
Father Time is never at refreshment. 

The large tablet to the memory of General Pope* 
was placed there by the admirers and friends of the 
distinguished officer. To one who did much for the 
cause of religious worship at the post and to whom 
the garrison is indebted for its beautiful chapel this 
tribute was well deserved. 

The present organ of the chapel, known as the 
"Sherman-Sheridan Memorial Organ'' was secured 
through subscriptions raised among officers of the ar- 
my, but more particularly through the congregation. 
To refresh the author's memory on the subject he 
wrote General Carle A. Woodruff, with whom the 
idea of securing such an organ originated. From his 
response the following is quoted: 

"I first spoke to Colonel Townsend, who was in 
command. I then wrote to Mrs. Sheridan and Miss 
Sherman and obtained their approval. I now wish I 
had their letters. I had a circular printed at the mil- 
itary prison. Captain Pope offering to have it done. 
Sent a circular to every officer who had ever been at 
Fort Leavenworth, so far as I could ascertain, and 
asked a contribution of only one dollar each. I re- 
member that three officers responded by sending me 
ten dollars each. Several sent five d ollars and quite 

*Funds for this purpose were solicited by Captain James 
W. Pope, commandant of the U. S. Military Prison. 



72 3r\xX IC^aurnuinrtli 

a number two dollars each, and the large majority 
the one dollar that I asked for but promised to send 
another dollar if required. Two officers disapproved 
of the idea/' 

The organ was manufactured by the Carl Barck- 
hoff Church Organ Company, of Salem, Ohio. It is 
eight feet wide, five feet deep, and from fourteen to 
sixteen feet high. The case is made of native hard 
wood. A similar organ was later built for the chapel 
of the military prison. 

The rites of baptism and marriage ceremonies 
have taken place by the score within the sacred pre- 
cincts of this chapel. A call of the roll of those uni- 
ted there in marriage would prove too long, but 
would be found to contain names of some who have 
attained professional distinction in the service of 
their country. 

The church-going population of the post has out- 
grown the limitations of its chapel accomodations. 
The need for greater capacity has long since been 
recognized by the local mihtary authorities, followed 
up by an effort a few years ago resulting in the ap- 
proval by the war department of an expenditure of 
$15,000 for enlargement, but beyond this nothing has 
been done in the way of remodelment. Chaplain 
Axton, Eighteenth Infantry, initiated this movement 
for a larger chapel. At the time the approval of the 
war department was obtained, he was relieved from 
duty at the post resulting in an abandonment of the 
proposition. 

The building now used for a post office was the 
post's parsonage. The late Percival G. Lowe,* 

*Percival G. Lowe served in Troop B, First Dragoons 
from 1849 until 1854. Upon his discharge from the army he 
was employed by the Quartermaster's Department in positions 
of trust. Later he settled in Leavenworth county where he 
rose to a place of honor at the hands of the people. He ser- 



3t0 (ill|urrl)fa mxh #rl|O0lfli 73 

author of "Five Years a Dragoon*' states that upon 
his arrival at the post in 1849 this building was so 
used by Chaplain Leander Ker. Chaplain Stone, who 
succeeded Ker, occupied the building until 1868 
when he left the post for Fort Sully. 

It is not known just when the building ceased to 
be a parsonage, but it is believed to have occurred 
very early in the seventies, if not in the later sixties, 
to permit improvements along modern lines for oc- 
cupancy by Major Wm. McKee Dunn, jr., Second 
Artillery, an aide to General Pope. The Dunn's hved 
there until 1883. Their home was the social hub of 
the garrison. Mrs. Dunn was the daughter of Sen- 
ator Morrill of Maine and very popular in social cir- 
cles. The Blaines, Shermans, and m.any other dis- 
tinguished families were frequent visitors there. 
It was in this house General J. J. Coppinger first met 
Miss Alice, a daughter of the late Senator J. G. 
Blaine, who later became his wife. 

ved as sheriff of the county and state senator. His book 
"Five Years a Dragoon," depicts the life of a soldier on the 
plains in the early 50's. The narrative is written in an inter- 
esting vein and its reception by military men at homa and 
abroad has been of a most complimentary character, "furnish- 
ing copy of a most desirable kind." 



iimston Bix 



Army QUjapIama at tlj^ MnxUh ^tnUB 
iKiUtarg Prtann 



75 




Chaplain C. C. PIERCE Chaplain H. PERCY SILVER 

Chaplain J. B. McCLEERY + 
Chaplain T. W. BARRY t 



CHAPTER VIII 

SOMETHING OF THE WORK DONE BY CHAPLAINS AT 
THE U. S. MILITARY PRISON 

1*P0N the establishment of the United States Mili- 
l^V tary Prison in 1875, army chaplains were as- 
signed to the institution but it was some time before 
the department provided the necessary chapel 
and school-room accomodations. 

Under the rules establishing the prison chap- 
lains were, and are yet, required to submit to the 
authorities an annual report of their work. While it 
is not practicable to reproduce all of these reports, 
nor would they prove interesting, much of them 
being statistical in their make-up, it is well to re- 
produce a few extracts covering the first few years 
of this work. These will give a fair idea of the 
character of the work required of chaplains serving 
at the prison. It is the same to-day as yesterday. 

Chaplain A. S. Mitchell was assigned to duty at 
the prison in 1876 and in his first annual report for the 
period served, makes these comments: 

"The want of proper facilities for carrying on 
my work, viz, a suitable chapel, school-room, and 
school books, has rendered it impracticable to accom- 
plish, either in the matter of religious or secular in- 
struction, what, under more favorable conditions 
might reasonably have been anticipated. Yet I feel 
that my labor has not been in vain, even though the 
fruits be not apparent as could be desired. A work 
like this is preeminently a work of faith, and its re- 
sults are not to be measured by any material stand- 
ard. The seed of truth may lie long buried before 
any visible fruits are apparent. 



78 IFort Uraurnttiortlj 

' 'So far as practicable, I aim to make myself 
acquainted with the prisoners, and by personal inter- 
course with them seek to gain their confidence. 
With very rare exceptions I have found them to be 
as easily approached and as ready to yield to the 
power of kindness and sympathy as any other class 
of men. By thus acquainting myself with them in- 
dividually, I often obtain an opportunity of speaking 
a word in season, which may even be more effective 
for good than any more pubhc ministration/' 

Again in his second annual report— 1878— Chap- 
lain Mitchell mourns the absence of the facilities so 
desirable for his work, saying their want has proved 
a great hindrance to the successful prosecution of 
his labors. "With the proper facilities for carrying 
on the work," he continues, *'I might reasonably 
hope for a largely increased attendance upon the 
services and obtain much better results/' 

In 1881, soon following his inauguration, Presi- 
dent Garfield appointed Rev. J. B. McCleery of 
Kansas, a chaplain in the army, assigning him to 
duty at the Military Prison to relieve Chaplain Mitch- 
ell, who was transferred to a station in Arizona. At 
the time of his appointment, Chaplain McCleery was 
serving in the capacity of chaplain at the Kansas 
State Penitentiary, and thus had experience in the 
work required at the military prison which fact the 
department did not fail to recognize when deciding 
upon his assignment. 

At the time of his appointment the prison au- 
thorities had provided the institution with chapel 
and school-room facilities, such as were wanting 
under Chaplain Mitchell's administration of the reli- 
gious affairs of the prison, and the cause for the 
latter's just complaints was no longer present. 

That Chaplain McCleery possessed a thorough 



3lta Qlt|urrljr0 anb ^rlioola 7P 



knowledge of the work in hand and knew how to 
deal with it, is amply illustrated in the following ex- 
tract from his first official report submitted a few 
months following his assignment to the prison. He 
makes these observations: 

'* . . . In the absence of any precedent, it 
is a question of what should be said and what left 
unsaid. Statistics unclothed are but mocking skele- 
tons, and to put them into proper and attractive 
attire is the one difficult task to him who seeks their 
utility. As the future worker bases much of his ef- 
forts upon knowledge of the past, it is but just that 
such information as will lead to more perfect adap- 
tation of means to ends be left upon record; hence 
the value of statistics. There are some things, 
however, that laugh the maker of figures to scorn, 
and one of these is the spiritual condition of men. 
He who 'searcheth the heart and trieth the reins' 
only can tell absolutely, whether a Hfe is hypocriti- 
cal or genuine. 

*' . . . Reformation, then, becomes a prime 
factor in this prison work problem. To give the re- 
sults in figures, during the seven years' life of the 
prison, of the chaplains' department looking toward 
the problem mentioned, is a human impossibility. It 
can only be hypothicated, and much of that might 
be wide of subsequent evidence. The chief difficulty 
in dealing with this class of men is to reach them. 
First, because so many of them have no foundation 
on which to build a moral character; and, secondly, 
because they studiously avoid coming in contact with 
those persons and ideas that lead in that direction. 
A character once molded and chrystalized is very 
difficult to reconstruct, and the character of boys in 
this country, for law or against it, in principle is 
fixed years before their majority. For instance, as 



80 Sfort ICratipttttiartly 



near as we can estimate, 30 per cent, is the weekly 
average of attendance on divine service here during 
the fiscal year just closed. Add to that 15 per cent 
of Roman Catholics, who attend their own service, 
which is held monthly, and you have a total of 45 
per cent. Now, what per cent of all go away deter- 
mined to reform is beyond our ken. Those who at- 
tend are good listeners, and if it does not savor too 
much of the ego, am constrained to say that I be- 
lieve many are benefitted, and will henceforth be 
found among the better citizenship of the country. 

''Strong drink with its kindred evils is the lead- 
ing potentiality in populating this institution. Two 
years (less the commutation) of enforced prohibition 
does a good work for many of these men. The ap- 
petite is in some measure put under control, and 
their conscience awakened to what they have been, 
and what they may be. Just how far compulsory 
treatment for mental, moral and physical aberra- 
tions should be carried on is one of the questions in 
debate. Those who have intelligently studied it, 
both in theory and practice, are the strongest advo- 
cates of humane, but rigorous, measures. The gin- 
gerly methods, while no more humane, are destruc- 
tive of discipline, without which such institutions be- 
come fertile fields for intrigue and vice.'' 

The desire of many of the post's residents to at- 
tend divine service at the prison chapel during Chap- 
lain McCleery's ministration, whose oratorical gifts 
and forceful sermons had given him a state-wide re- 
putation before his entry into the army, caused the 
prison authorities to enlarge the chapel accomoda- 
tions so as to permit their attendance. A large gal- 
lery was constructed so as to separate the outside 
congregation from the prisoners and to facilitate di- 
rect entrance from outside the walls. This arrange- 



3lt0 (SIfttrrlirB nnh Bsi^aolB 81 

ment worked splendidly. While the service was of 
the simplest character, the chaplain's sermons were 
the attraction and the garrison flocked to hear him. 
It was often remarked during his ministration at the 
prison that while the service at the post chapel was 
only lightly attended, the capacity of the prison 
chapel, large as it was, was taxed to its limits; con- 
clusive evidence that divine service conducted along 
lines to meet the "masses", irrespective of rank, 
station or wealth, will attract large congregations. 
It proved, too, that army men will fill any place of 
worship within a military station if the service is 
made attractive, not that it should be imposing, 
but the sermons of a kind to be easily understood 
and form a discussion of current topics illustra- 
tive of some religious problem. Chaplain McCleery 
knew how to meet this requirement. 

The chaplain filled this post for more than ten 
years. The author, who enjoyed his intimate ac- 
quaintance, knows of numerous instances where for- 
mer inmates of the prison were much benefitted be- 
cause of their contact with him; men who have gone 
out of prison with a better appreciation of their fel- 
lowmen; who engaged in business and mechanical 
pursuits and lived to enjoy the respect of their neigh- 
bors. 

Chaplain McCleery was transferred from here to 
Fort Logan, Colorado, a new post, which had been 
completed only a short time previous. There he re- 
mained until his retirement from the army. His 
death occurred suddenly at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, 
March 6, 1903. 

Chaplain McCleery was an American in every 
sense of the word. Neither rank nor riches had any 
influence upon him and his work. He was a man of 
the people and his early struggles to reach a top 



3Fort Crattrttmnrth 



rung of the ministerial ladder was, indeed, a task to 
try his soul. But he continued ever hoping that the 
future would bring its reward. Who, that had the 
pleasure to know him, can say, it didn't? His popu- 
larity among all classes in the army furnished the 
proof. Had he remained in the ministry in civil life, 
his elevation to a high place in the "Christian'' de- 
nomination was certain. He possessed executive abil- 
ity and ambition. In the army he was limited by 
law to the post he held, and while it gave no encour- 
agement for the future, the government obtained 
his best efforts and what more can any one do to 
meet the promise made by his obligation so to serve? 

Post Chaplain C. C. Pierce, U. S. Army, then 
stationed at Fort Supply, Indian Territory, succeed- 
ed to the post made vacant by Chaplain McCleery's 
transfer in 1891 and remained on that duty until the 
prison's abandonment July, 1895. He was then 
transferred to Fort Apache, Arizona. Reference to 
Chaplain Pierce has already been made in a pre- 
vious chapter. 

Upon the abandonment of the military prison and 
the establishment of a United States Penitenitary 
under the control of the Department of Justice, the 
general public was excluded from divine service 
in the prison chapel. Rev. B. Cade of North Caro- 
lina, was the first chaplain under its new control. 
He was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Leavitt, of Leaven- 
worth, who is its chaplain at this writing. 

Early in 1906 the prison was abandoned as a civil 
institution, transferred back to the War Department 
and the United States Military Prison reestablished. 
An assignment of chaplains then followed and the 
following have so served: 

Chaplain Percy H, Silver, Thirteenth Cavalry, 
to February 28, 1909. 



3(tB (E^nvtUtBunh Bsl^aais 83 

Chaplain Francis B. Doherty, Seventeenth Infan- 
try. 

Chaplain John A. Ferry, Tenth Infantry. 

Chaplain Silver has since resigned from the ar- 
my and now holds an important post under the direc- 
tion of the Board of American Missions of the Pro- 
testant Episcopal church. He was a popular minis- 
ter. Frequently he held services at the post chap- 
el in the absence of a regular chaplain and did much 
to improve conditions of the church. He secured the 
organization of an Altar Guild, (reference to which 
will be made in a subsequent chapter), which has 
done much to build up the affairs of the local chapel. 

The necessities of the service required that 
Chaplain Silver be relieved, and join his regiment, 
under orders for service in the Phillippines. He was 
relieved by Chaplain Francis B. Doherty, Seven- 
teenth Infantry, who remained here until August 9, 
1910, and he in turn was relieved by Chaplain John 
A. Ferry, Tenth Infantry, the present incumbent. 

The two last named clergymen are of the Roman 
Catholic faith and the first army chaplains of that 
faith assigned to service at Fort Leavenworth. 




PRESENT CATHOLIC CHURCH 



Stmston Btnm 



®I}^ ISnman QlatJjnlir Ql0ngr^gatt0n 



85 



CHAPTER IX 

CLERGYMEN WHO MINISTERED TO THE FAITHFUL 
AT FORT LEAVENWORTH 

A HISTORY of divine service at Fort Leavenworth 
would not be complete without an account of 
the Catholic congregation. 

As already told this field was occupied by Catho- 
lic missionaries almost from the date of the post's 
estabhshment. Most of the church's post history, 
however, was made during the past forty years. 

For many years succeeding the missionary labors 
of Father Quickenborne, Fort Leavenworth was fre- 
quently visited by Jesuit fathers, but not until 1869 
was one of their number regularly assigned to attend 
to the spiritual wants of its officers, soldiers and 
civilian employees. 

Through the courtesy of President Rogers of St. 
Louis University, founded by Father Quickenborne, 
the author is enabled to present a list of the Jesuit 
missionaries who visited here in an early day. It is 
as follows: 

Charles Van Quickenborne, 35, 36. 

Christian Hoecken, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45, 

46, 47, 48, 49. 
Adrian Hoecken, 42. 

Felix Verreydt, 37, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48. 
Anthony Eyesvogel, 39, 40, 44. 
Herman Aelen, 39, 40, 41, 42. 
Nicholas Point at Westport, 40. 
Francis Xavier DeCoen, 45. 
John F. Diels, ("not yet ordained priest) 45, 46. 
Charles Truvens, 47. 
Maurice GaUiand, 48, 49. 
John Baptist Duerink, 49. 

87 



88 Fnrt Sjpau^tmwrtlj 

The last named priest was a cousin of Father 
DeSmet. He was drowned in the Missouri river on 
one of his excursions. There was a general impres- 
sion at the time that his death was due to foul work 
of thieves. His body was never recovered. 

President James McCabe, S.J.,* of St. Mary's 
College, St. Mary's, Kansas, responding to inquiries 
concerning the labors of missionaries in this field, 
furnishes the following: 

**He, Father Quickenborne, was succeeded on the 
mission among the Kickapoos by Father Felix L. 
Verreydt, S.J., and Christian Hoecken, S.J. In 
January, 1838, Fr. Hoecken, on receiving an invita- 
tion from the chief of a band of Christian Pottawa- 
tomies, lately established on the Osage river, in Linn 
county, Kansas, went to them; and from this visit 
and from friendly intercourse may be traced the 
causes which at an early date brought into existence 
St. Mary's College, The mission among the Kicka- 
poos was abandoned, and the fathers estabhshed 
their base among the Pottawatomies, first at Sugar 
Creek, in Linn county, and afterwards at St. Mary's, 
to which point the Pottawatomies were transferred 
by the government in 1846-48. Fr. Verreydt was 
indefatigable in visiting all stations in eastern Kan- 
sas and western Missouri where white settlers were 
to be found. 

"Right Rev. John B. Miege,t S.J., was conse- 

♦Society of Jesus. The priests who belong to this Society 
are known as "Jesuits." 

t John Baptists Miege was born in Chevron, Savoy, Sep- 
tember 18, 1815. He was consecrated Bishop of Meseena May 
24, 1815, and raised to the dignity of Vicar Apostolic over the 
country inhabited by the Indians lying between the Rockies 
and the western boundary of civilization. He arrived at St. 
Mary's Mission soon after his elevation and resided there un- 



3llB (El|urrlir0 m\h ^rljanlfl 89 

crated March 25, 1851, and established himself at 
St. Mary's Mission. He remained at St. Mary's till 
1855, when he removed to Leavenworth. The fol- 
lowing Jesuit fathers were stationed at Leavenworth 
with Biphop Miege: 

1858-1859— Rev. James M. Converse, S. J. 
1862-1865 -Rev. Francis Xavier DeCoen, S. J. 
1865-1866— Revs. Aloysius Laigneil, S. J., and 

Paul M. Ponziglioni, S. J. 
1866-1867— Revs. Aloysius Laigneil, S. J., and 

John L Coglin, S. J. 
1868-1870 -Revs. Aloysius Laigneil, S. J., and 

Peter J. de Meester, S. J. 
1870-1871 -Revs. Aloosius Laigneil, S. J., and 

Michael J. Corbett, S. J. 
1871-1872 -Revs. Ignatius Panken, S. J., and 

Michael J. Corbett, S. J. 
1872-1873-Rev. Ignatius Panken, S. J. 
1873-1874-Rev. John Schultz, S. J. 

"Rev. Father Schultz was the last of the Jesuit 
Fathers who resided at Leavenworth. In 1874 
Bishop Miege resigned and was suceeded to the 
bishopric of Leavenworth by Rt. Rev. Louis M. 
Fink,* D. D., 0. S. B.§ 

til 1855, when he estabhshed himself at Leavenworth. In the 
years following under his episcopate the church began to 
prosper, and priests of the Jesuit Order came from all direc- 
tions to his aid. To his energy and intermittent hard labor is 
due the erection of the stately cathedral at Leavenworth. He 
resigned his episcopate in 1874 and for a time made his home 
at the University of St. Louis. Later he was transferred to 
Woodstock, Md., and after founding a college in Detroit, 
Mich., in 1877, returned to the Maryland convent and there 
passed away July 20, 1884. 

* Bishop Louis Maria Fink, of Leavenworth, was born in 
Triftersburg, Bavaria, in 1834. He came to the United States 
in 1852, and finishing his theological studies in 1857, was then 
ordained a priest. At Covington, Ky., he established a con- 
vent of the St. Benedictine Nuns and built a church. He then 
went to Chicago as pastor of St. Joseph's church, and his 



90 Jffort ICrauFtmiDrtly 



' '1 have obtained the names given above from 
the official records of the Missouri Province, as well 
as the dates of the residence of the several fathers 
at Leavenworth/' 

For a number of years Bishop Miege gave per- 
sonal attention to Fort Leavenworth, frequently say- 
ing mass. So important a point did he regard the 
post that in 1869 he named Father Laigneil as the 
first pastor of the Mission. 

The following is a list of the clergymen who 
succeeded him and the period which they served at 
Fort Leavenworth: 

1871-1873-Rev. Ignatius Pankin, S. J. 
1873-1874-Rev. John Schultz, S. J. 
1674-1876-Rev. Ambrose Butler, S. J. 
1876-1879 -Rev. James O'Reilly. 

1879 —Rev. Gregory Kelly. 

1879-1883 -Rev. Thomas Downey. 
1883-1884 -Rev. John Hurley. 
1884-1892-Rev. T. H. Kinsella. 
1892-1895— Rev. Alexander Jennings. 
1895-1905— Rev. T. J. McCaul. 
1905-1906-Rev. William Ospital, O.S.B. 
1906 to date Rev. J. M. Dougherty, O.S.B. 

missionary labors were so successful that the church could 
not contain the numbers who came to hear him; whereupon 
he built a new and costly church, with schools attached to it. 
He was next appointed prior of the Benedictine Monastery at 
Atchison, Kansas, and also vicar-general of the vicar-aposto- 
late of Kansas. In 1871 he became coadjutor bishop and was 
transferred to the newly erected see at Leavenworth in 1877. 
Under his care the number of his co-religionists in the dio- 
cese grew from 35,000 to 80,000. He died March 18, 1904. 

Upon the demise of Bishop Fink, Bishop Lillie became his 
successor. Since then Bishop Lillie has been appointed Co- 
adjutor Bishop to Archbishop Hogan of Kansas City, Mo. 
Right Rev. Bishop John D. Ward, for a number of years pas- 
tor of the Leavenworth Cathedral succeeded Bishop Lillie in 
1910. 

§ Order of St. Benedictine. 




Reverend AMBROSE BUTLER t Reverend JAMES O'REILLY t 

Right Reverend JOHN B. MIEGE t 
Reverend JOHN HURLEY f Reverend THOMAS DOWNEY 



CHAPTER X 

WHAT LED TO CONSTRUCTION OF FIRST CHURCH AND 
DIFFICULTIES UNDER WHICH ACCOMPLISHED 

3T was not until 1870 that steps were taken to se- 
cure a building in the post, dedicated exclusively 
to Catholic service. For some years prior thereto a 
one-story frame building which had been occupied 
by a troop of the Seventh Cavalry, was used for the 
purpose. Commenting upon the use of this building, 
General Michael R. Morgan, at the time Chief Com- 
missary of Subsistence of the Department of the 
Missouri, stationed at the post, in an official com- 
munication to higher authorities seeking relief from 
then existing conditions with reference to the lack of 
appropriate accomodations for Catholic service, said: 
"This temporary chapel was also used by the 
regimental band at the post for practice. It was 
found that the band spilled their beer over the altar 
and that they entered the recess back of the altar 
used as a sacristy and disturbed what they found 
there. It was thought that this could easiest be 
mended by the Catholics putting up their own church 
edifice.'* 

The building of a Catholic chapel originated with 
army officers. Their influence was brought to bear 
on the bishop to have him make application for per- 
mission to erect such a building. 

The suggestion was heartily endorsed by Father 
Panken, who prevailed upon Bishop Miege to apply 
to the Secretary of War for a building site. The 
bishop realized something should be done and ac- 
cordingly addressed the following communication to 
that official: 

91 



92 IFort ?Crat!^nui0rtI| 



Leavenworth, Kansas 
To His Excellency, December 10, 1870, 

The Secretary of War, 

Washington, D. C, 
Sir: 

I beg leave to expose to your excellency that 
there is a considerable number of Roman Catholics 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to whom I consider it 
my duty to give the facilities which all Christian de- 
nominations give to their members. 

Thus far it has not been possible to obtain a place 
or chapel exclusively dedicated to Cathohc worship, 
which is a great inconvenience, not only to the cler- 
gyman who appoints days to officiate at the fort, but 
also to the members of the church. To obviate all 
difficulties, I take the liberty to ask that a piece of 
ground at or near the fort be set apart, and that the 
buildings erected thereon be for the exclusive use of 
Roman Catholic worship. 

Hoping that my petition will be favorably con- 
sidered, I remain, of your excellency, the humble, 
obedient servant, 

(Signed) JOHN B. MIEGE, 

Bishop of Kansas. 

General Pope endorsed the proposition and the 
war department gave its consent. A board of offi- 
cers was appointed to select a site. This done, work 
was energetically begun collecting funds by General 
Morgan and Ordnance Sergeant Cornelius Kelly.* 
In a few months this officer and Sergeant Kelly 
turned into the building fund over $3,000 which to- 
gether with other contributions and much aid from 

♦Cornelius Kelly was Ordnance Sergeant at the post from 
1868 to 1886, at which time he was retired, completing thirty- 
four years active service. He is now living in Leavenworth. 
His service, before appointment as ordnance sergeant in 1861 
was in the artillery. 



3(t0 ([II|urrI|ra anb §>rIniola 93 

the quartermaster's department, enabled the church 
authorities to start the work of construction. The 
corner stone was laid in the fall of 1871. After much 
delay and a hard struggle the building was placed 
under roof. 

Father Schultz succeeded Father Pankin, who, in 
in a short time, was followed by Father Butler.* He 
is said to have displayed remarkable administra- 
tive ability, collecting, within four months, the sum 
of $1,300. The church was plastered and the floor 
laid during his administration. 

Rev. James O'Reilly, subsequently bishop-elect 
of Wichita, succeeded Father Butler. He remained 
pastor about fiwe years in which time the church was 
virtually relieved of all indebtedness. He collected 
from the soldiers on successive pay days the large 
sum of $1,000. This good father remarked before 
his death that the task was the hardest one of his 
life, and that there was no authority on earth that 
could induce him to undertake the like again. 

Owing to a very considerable reduction in the 
number of civilian employees at the post the bishop 
became concerned as to hov/ to meet the heavy ob- 
ligations incurred, because of a like decrease in the 
size of the congregation. It was here the self- 
sacrifice and fine executive ability of Father O'Reilly 
in the administration of church temporalities, 
first plainly showed themselves. Notwithstanding 
the paucity to which the congregation was reduced, 
he not only paid oif the remaining church indebted- 
ness within the period of his Fort Leavenworth pas- 
torate, but added many improvements, such as an 

*The Rev. Father Ambrose Butler was educated in Dublin; 
was a distinguished scholar and author and a fluent speaker. 
His last years were spent in St. Louis, where he established 
St. Cronin's Parish. He also founded a colony in Kansas 
now called Blaine. 



H 3F0rt inpatipnuiortli 



altar, at a cost of nearly $500, communion rail, con- 
sessionals, and pews. Later Father O'Reilly became 
pastor of the church at Topeka, followed by his ap- 
pointment as bishop of the newly created diocese of 
Wichita, but before being able to take charge of his 
episcopate he was called to answer the summons 
from on High. 

It was under such difficulties the church was fin- 
ally completed. Upon dedication it was named ' *St. 
Ignatius Chapel" in honor of Ignatius de Loyola, the 
Soldier-Saint, who founded the ''Society of Jesus''* 

The citizens of Leavenworth, irrespective of reli- 
gious faith, were liberal contributors. When com- 
pleted, more than ten thousand dollars had been ex- 
pended on the church. 

The next in succession was Rev. Gregory Kelly, 
a fine speaker and a young man of affable manners. 
Father Kelly forwarded the work and did many 
things to complete the task began in 1871. 

Rev. Father Thomas Downey, one of the many 
popular clergymen known in this section, and now 
chaplain of St Mary's Academy, south of the city, 
came next in succession— 1879-83. Like those pre- 
ceeding him, he worked willingly and unceasingly 
to make the parish worthy of the name and post. 
He gave special attention to the inmates of the 
U. S. Military Prison, ministering to those of his 
faith. 

Father John Hurley, a son of Leavenworth, fol- 
lowed Father Downey. This young man left the 
parish in a flourishing condition financially. 

Rev. Father Kinsella succeeded Father Hurley 

* In the fall of 1894 the 20th Infantry arrived here from 
Montana. With it came a number of "garrisons" of the Army 
and Navy Union, which obtained permission to hold their 
meetings in this building. The name of Union Hall was 
given it. 



3(tH (fll|urrtjra aiib S>rl?onl0 95 

to the Fort Leavenworth charge and became its 
first resident priest. Up to this time the pastors 
having in charge the Fort mission made their home 
in the rectory of the Leavenw^orth cathedral, but 
Bishop Fink concluded that the time had arrived 
when the pastor at Fort Leavenworth should be re- 
quired to ''shift*' for himself. 

If Father Kinsella could be induced to write of 
his struggles at Fort Leavenworth during the seven 
and one-half years of his pastorate it would prove a 
chapter intensely interesting to those not familiar 
with the hardships and privations endured by this 
faithful priest. The author happened to know 
Father Kinsella intimately during all the years of 
his residence at the post, a friendship which contin- 
ues to this day, and it gives sincere pleasure to make 
of record here that better things have come to him, a 
just reward for unceasing effort to fulfill every 
obligation to serve his Master. 

Father Kinsella was ordained in the cathedral at 
Leavenworth by Bishop Fink, July 17, 1884, and on 
August 12, the same year, assigned to the Fort 
Leavenworth mission, the bishop remarking at the 
time, "This is a mission I would not give to every- 
body." Whether this view was meant in a Pickwick- 
ian sense, or, that it came from him as a result of 
conviction, does not matter at this late day, but 
Father Kinsella, considering the struggles of those 
years to "keep his head above water", must have 
often, in moments of meditation, perhaps hours and 
days, asked himself, "If this was the bishop's best, 
what may be his worst?" At any rate, the good 
priest obeyed, as becomes a true Christian soldier. 

The Fort Leavenworth mission included Kickapoo 
township, Delaware township including the town 
of Lansing, the State Penitentiary, the U. S. Mili- 



96 Fart ICf an^nmnrtlj 

tary Prison, the County Poor House and Saint John's 
Hospital, with an occasional opportunity to a little 
extra work in and around the cathedral. Father 
Kinsella held services in three churches and four 
chapels during the month; in all seven places had to 
be attended, and in each place a different class of 
people had to be addressed and their spiritual wants 
provided for. There was then no salary attached to 
any of these appointments. The people attending 
the Fort church, however, were exceeding kind to 
their pastor. Kickapoo contributed about $150 or 
$200 a year, and Delaware about $100. The balance, 
about $300, was given by the Fort congregation. 
These amounts came at irregular intervals, often 
falling short of the usual sums but, on the whole, 
Father Kinsella' s condition was an improvement on 
that of his predecessors. It gives one some idea of 
the peculiar conditions then existing, and of the 
unrequited and laborious work done by Catholic 
priests in these parts in early days. Relief came 
to Father Kinsella at last in a division of territory 
by taking from him all the missions and institutions 
south of the city, leaving for him the post, military 
Prison and Kickapoo. He took up quarters at Fort 
Leavenworth where, unknown, unsheltered and un- 
provided for by the government, he eked out an exis- 
tence replete with many amusing incidents. 

The then post trader. Major W. H. Keeling,* 
through the intervention of faithful Sergeant Kelly, 

*Major W. H. Keeling, a former officer of the Thirteenth 
U. S. Infantry, Post Trader. Upon completion of a new post 
hospital in 1882, the old was turned into a hotel for the use of 
student officers of the Infantry and Cavalry School, and man- 
aged by Major Keeling. This building stood then where is 
now the Army Service Schools Mess in rear of Schofleld and 
Otis halls. The hotel was run for about three years, after 
which the building was named "Hancock Hall" and assigned 
as quarters for bachelor officers. 



3t0 (][II|urrl|f0 anb ^cl^aaU 97 

provided him with board at $15 per month and 
permitted him to occupy a room in the hotel when 
not otherwise in use. This latter privilege was of 
brief duration owing to a large influx of officers, 
both on account of the annual department, division 
and army rifle contests, and the bi-annual arrival 
of student oflficers to the Infantry and Cavalry 
School. This made him almost shelterless if not 
entirely homeless. For the first winter he found 
a barber's chair and placed it in the little vestry 
back of the chapel thus enjoying an improvised 
folding bed through which he made the discovery 
that a night spent in a barber's chair is twenty-four 
hours long in summer and forty-eight in winter. The 
next year Captain Henry Seaton, 4th U. S. In- 
fantry, found him one evening in a closet under a 
stair-way of the hotel-annex, sitting on a cot holding 
a book in one hand and a lamp in the other. The 
officer, who was of a very distinguished Catholic fam- 
ily, protested in a tone of surprise and demanded that 
he vacate at once and come to his quarters where 
everything would be as it should for a priest. This 
act of kindness Father Kinsella treasures in memory 
as the most blessed deed that ever came to him, as 
it saved him from the dangers of a second winter 
as unprovided as the former one. In the mean- 
time changes took place in the personnel of the post 
and the third winter found the old conditions revived, 
no shelter, but only the httle vestry which had cracks 
in the walls and shaky windows. The youn^ priest 
felt there was danger in attempting to live through 
another winter in such a place and after much 
deliberation concluded to call upon the bishop to ex- 
plain matters and to seek a return to the cathedral 
rectory. The bishop did not grant his request, but, 
on the contrary, ordered him to build on another 



98 3Fort iCgattgnmortly 

room to the vestry and thus make himself comfort- 
able at the post. Colonel Ruger, the post command- 
er, objected to such a proposed addition without 
authority. 




Rbv. M..J. DOUGHERTY Rev. THOMAS H. KINSELLA 

Right Reverend LOUIS MARIA FINK f 
Brigadier-General M. R. MORGAN f 



CHAPTER XI 

FIRST CHURCH BUILDING SOLD AND NEW SITE SE- 
CURED FOR LARGER EDIFICE 

IfljHEN in 1870 the Secretary of War permitted 
W* the use of a site for a Cathohc church, it was sup- 
posed that the ground selected would not interfere 
with the location of public buildings in the future. 
This view appears not to have been prophetic. De- 
nying Father Kinsella permission to construct an 
additional room to the church rectory opened up cor- 
respondence which resulted in the purchase of the 
church property and a grant to select a more suitable 
site for a new church. The correspondence follows: 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 

September 15, 1885, 

Rev. T. H. Kinsella, 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Reverend Sir: -Replying to your letter of the 7th 
ultimo, addressed to the Honorable Secretary of War 
asking authority to build a rectory at this post, I 
have the honor to inform you that the request has 
been disapproved by the Secretary of War-* 'the 
ground occupied by the church and the frame school 
house being required for military purposes." 

I have been directed to ascertain upon what 
terms the church building may be purchased, also 
the school building may be bought or its removal 
effected. Will you please inform me as soon as may 
conveniently be, as to the questions stated. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) Thos. H. Ruger, 

Colonel, 18th Infantry, 

Commanding Post 



100 Fnrt ICratJFtttnortly 



This letter was placed in the hands of Bishop 
Fink under whose instructions Father Kinsella sent 
Colonel Ruger the following reply: 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 

September 29, 1885. 

Thos. H. Ruger, 

Colonel 18th Infantry, 

Commanding Post 

Dear Sir:— Having called upon the Right Rev. 
Bishop in regard to the request of the Hon. Secretary 
of War, expressed in your note of the 15th inst. , I 
found his Lordship willing to do what ever is good 
for the Fort, as well as for the convenience of its 
present authorities. 

The Secretary of War may communicate with 
him therefore, in regard to the church as also the 
purchase or removal of the school house at Fort 
Leavenworth. If I remember rightly, the Bishop 
mentioned two ways in which the question can be 
settled agreeably to all parties. The first was, that 
the government take the matter in hand and erect 
other buildings in every respect like the present 
ones, the location being acceptable to us. The sec- 
ond, that the government portion off a plat of 
ground, 200 -feet square, in a location suited to the 
wants of the people, on which the bishop could 
build church, school and parsonage with the money 
received for the present building. 

He seems to consider the question of value of 
small importance in comparison with the fact that a 
Catholic church is necessary for the spiritual welfare 
of his people connected with the post, prison and ar- 
senal—each so extensive, and the whole a city in it- 
self. It seems very proper, therefore, that this mat- 
ter should be viewed in a broad light, not only be- 



3fta GII|«rrI|p0 mxh #rI|0nlH 101 

cause it is Fort Leavenworth that is in question, but 
more especially, because what has been done thus 
far, by the Catholic people of the Fort, has been done 
with the sanction of the government, and the Right 
Rev. Bishop does not, I think, feel himself free to 
barter away what belongs to the community at large, 
bound as he is, by most sacred engagements, to 
transmit this, its gift to posterity. 

I am, dear Colonel, yours respectfully, 

(Signed) T. H. Kinsella, 

Rector. 

Headquarters of the Army 

ADJUTANT general's OFFICE 

Washington, December 26, 1886. 

To The Commanding General, 

Commanding Department of the Missouri, 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

(Through Headquarters Division of the Missouri. ) 

Sir:— Referring to an endorsement of the 23d of 
October last, forwarding correspondence in regard 
to the occupation of the military reservation of Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, by a Roman Catholic Church, 
I am directed by the lieutenant general commanding 
the army to inform you that the Secretary of War 
authorized the purchase of the Catholic building in 
question at a cost not to exceed eleven thousand 
($11,000) dollars and the selection of a new site by 
the church authorities. 

The selection of this site shall be subject to the 
approval of the war department, and with the un- 
derstanding that the government shall not, under 
any circumstances, be required or expected to pur- 
chase any structures that may be erected thereon. 

The lieutenant general desires to request the 



102 IFort Sraupttwortij 

church authorities to make application for the new 
site, under the conditions herein recited. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) R. C. Drum, 

Adjutant-General. 

The terms offered in the above were accepted 
by the Roman CathoHc church authorities and appli- 
cation was at once made for a new site and the pri- 
vilege to construct thereon a church building. 

A lease was granted by the Secretary of War 
in the following terms: 

''The Right Reverend Louis M. Fink, as Roman 
Catholic bishop of the diocese of Leavenworth and 
successors, bishops of said diocese, are hereby 
granted a license, revocable at v/ill by the Secretary 
of War, to erect and construct or cause to be con- 
structed, for the use of the Roman Catholic church 
at Fort Leavenv/orth, Kansas, on a tract or lot of 
land two hundred feet square, being part of the 
United States military reservation at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, and situated in, and being the south- 
east corner of the vacant lot which lies just to the 
south of the post hospital in said reservation, 
and being bounded on the east by McClellan avenue, 
and on the south by Pope Avenue, a church edifice, 
45 by 95 feet in dimensions for the purpose of divine 
worship, according to the rites of said church, and a 
school house 25 by 50 feet in dimensions, and no 
other building or buildings whatsoever (the former 
license granted by the Secretary of War, January 
24, 1878, to the said Louis M. Fink, being hereby re- 
voked) upon the following provisions and conditions: 

' 1. That the United States shall not under any 
circumstances be required or expected to buy any 
structure or building erected upon said tract of land 
under the authority of this license. 



3Jta CIIl|urrl|fB anb Bci^atxlB 103 

"2. That any sum which may have to be ex- 
pended after revocation of this license, in putting 
any premises or property, hereby authorized or 
used, in a good condition for use by the United 
States as it is at this date shall be repaid by said 
license or licensee/' 

The lease v^as not finally approved by both par- 
ties until June 27, 1889. 

The cornerstone of the nev^ church v^as laid 
August 18, 1889, by Bishop Fink. There were many 
present, including a large number of priests from 
throughout the diocese. The dedication took place 
December 22d of the same year and was an event of 
unusual church interest in the post. 

The new edifice is of Gothic design and comports 
favorably with the buildings surrounding it. The 
rectory is a part of the main building. It is composed 
of a suite of eight rooms, furnished with all modern 
conveniences. A large hall is fitted up in the base- 
ment for social church functions. 

Fine stained glass windows donated by friends 
to the memory of the following have been placed 
in the church: 

Right Reverend John B. Miege, S.J., by Rev- 
erend Ambrose Butler. * 

* The placing of this memorial window in the new chapel 
by Father Butler to his superior and almost life long friend is 
accounted for by the following from a "History of the Sisters of 
Charity of Leavenworth" giving an account of the departure 
of Bishop Miege, upon resigning his charge of the diocese. 
The bishop did not wish to meet any of his priests or the sis- 
ters of charity who had labored with him soloj^ally. He only 
informed the clergy of his purpose the day before he set for 
his departure and this is what the author of the history says: 

"His surprise must have been great, when he arrived at the 
depot to take the train, to see Father Butler, then stationed 
at Hoge (Leavenworth county), come rushing up with hat in 



lOU 3iiti Ueau^ttmnrtly 



Mrs. Ellen Ewing Sherman*, "Her children have 

risen up and called her blessed/' 

"General Phil. Sheridan, Requiescat inpace.'' 
"Lieutenant-Colonel Brothertont,'' by Major M. 

R. Morgan, U. S. A. 

hand vigorously fanning himself, for he had no sooner re- 
ceived the bishop's letter than, without a moment's delay, he 
threw himself into a train that came along just at the desired 
time. The poor bishop was much overcome. He had de- 
voutly wished to avoid saying 'farewell' to his priests, to 
whom he was attached by many and strong ties of friendship, 
regard, gratitude, and ardent brotherly love. Father Butler 
afterwards congratulated himself that he was so fortunate as 
to obtain this last interview with his bishop, who had receiv- 
ed him into his diocese as a youi!g priest, and who had been 
to him a father and a friend." 

Father Butler was invited to be present at the dedication of 
the church, which he had served so faithfully at Fort Leaven- 
worth. He was forced to decline and in his letter of regret 
furnished the following reminiscenses concerning his former 
charge : 

^'Many years have passed over since I first visited the post, 
sometimes with Father McNeil, in 1867 and 1868, sometimes 
with Father Panken and others, but the happiest days and 
evenings were passed in the little frame chapel when I had 
charge, and when General Miles and General Williams show- 
ed their polite conduct to me. Custer's Cavalry, wild fellows 
that they were, had always a welcome beaming on their faces 
for me, and poor Captain Keogh and Captain Nolan showed 
the strength of their faith. But better and braver in the cause 
of the holy church was good Sergeant Kelly for whom I shall 
always cherish a deep and faithful regard. Nor can I close 
without referring with genuine admiration to the beautiful 
and exemplary character developed by General Morgan dur- 
ing his last years at Fort Leavenworth. I hope you will meet 
with a spiritual success in all your efforts which your great 
zeal deserves. There are many hearts brave in God's cause, 
beating under the blue of Uncle Sam's uniform." 

*The wife of the late General William Tecumseh Sherman, 
U. S. Army. 

tLieutenant-Colonel David H. Brotherton. This officer was 
stationed at Fort Leavenworth for a number of years, while a 



31 10 (EIiurrJ^^B mxh ^rljofllfli 105 

"Genevieve." a votive offering by Lieutenant 
and Mrs. W. H. Johnston*, U. S. A. 

** Colonel George Gibson, Requiescat in pace." 

"Right Rev. James O'Reilly," by the people of 
Kickapoo. 

"Right Rev. Charles J. White," by General 
Thomas M. Vincentt, U. S. A. 

"In honor of General Alexander McDowell 
McCook."t 

Captain in the Fifth Infantry. Major Michael R. Morgan, of 
the Subsistence Department of the Army, was stationed at 
the post at the same time serving on General Pope's staff. 
There was a close intimacy between these two officers, and 
the window was placed in the new chapel, after its dedication, 
in memory to a devoted friend and brother officer. Colonel 
Brotherton died September 17, 1889. 
*Now Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Johnston, U. S. Army. 
tGeneral Vincent was for many years an officer of the Ad- 
jutant General's Department. 

X An incident worthy of note followed the ceremony of 
dedication. It was the presentation of a handsome sword to 
General A. McD. McCook, who, as commanding officer of the 
post, rendered material aid in the negotiations for the pur- 
chase of the old church building and the procurement of au- 
thority for a new site. 

His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, authorized the use of 
his name in connection with that of Right Rev. Bishop Fink 
in the presentation of the sword. 

General McCook, early in his career as an officer, had 
shown by his conduct his support of the Catholic clergy in the 
Far West, as well as toward every institution of charity. It 
is told that when a young lieutenant he stood by the then 
Right Rev. Bishop Lamy, of New Mexico, in an hour of immi- 
nent peril. While stationed at Santa Fe he discovered a plot 
having for its end the assassination of the new bishop. He at 
once ordered his men to stand guard near the episcopal resi- 
dence while he himself remained with the bishop till far in 
the night, and thus for several evenings awed the mob until 
the plot was finally abandoned. 

When stationed near Salt Lake City he found the Sisters 
of the Holy Cross greatly hampered by the Mormons, being 



106 Matt iC^aurnmnrtli 



The financial history of the Fort Leavenworth 
mission shows that from 1870 to 1890, there had been 
received from all sources, including the sum of $11,- 
000 paid by the government for the old church, 
$35,172.72. 

The original contract for the new church called 
for $10,707.00. Extras and the additional cost of 
the priest's house and school building brought the 
total to $15,233.85. 

The income to May 1, 1890, with which to meet 
the cost of the new church including the $11,000 re- 
ceived from the Government was $13,090.07 leaving 
upon the church a debt of $2,143.78. 

By December 31, 1891, Father Kinsella, through 
efforts at collecting and lecturing at other points 
succeeded in further reducing the debt and upon his 
transfer to Horton parish in January, 1892, assumed 
all of the remaining indebtedness excepting $500. 
In 1895 he was appointed Chaplain of the Soldiers' 
Home at Leavenworth which enabled him to meet 
this obligation. Aside from the $1300 of which the 
obligation consisted it did not include $300 paid for 
the organ of St. Ignatius chapel. 

These are some of the personal sacrifices made 
by Father Kinsella which were known only to the 
bishop and a few of his intimate friends. 

Quite recently Father Kinsella resigned his post 
as chaplain of the Soldier's Home at Danville, 111., 
to which he had in the mean time been transferred 
and returned to the Leavenworth diocese placing his 
services at the disposal of its bishop, Right Rev. John 
D. Ward. An assignment as pastor of Sacred Heart 
church in Leavenworth followed. 

unable to obtain the city water for their new hospital. The 
General, hearing of it, ordered his men to run the pipes from 
the Fort Douglass reservoir down to the city and into the hos- 
pital, thus conferring a very great favor on these Sisters. 



31tH (El|urrl|rB nnh ^tl}ooiB 107 

Rev. Father Jennings, the youngest son of a 
Leavenworth citizen, came here from Horton 
to relieve Father Kinsella remaining until April 18, 
1895, being in turn relieved by Rev. Father McCaul. 

Father McCaul administered the affairs of the 
mission for more than ten years remaining in this 
field to November 12, 1905. The congregation suf- 
fered greatly in numbers on account of the Spanish- 
American war. Despite this reduction Father 
McCaul managed to relieve the church of its remain- 
ing indebtedness of five hundred dollars. He con- 
tinued in the performance of his ministerial duties 
at post and federal prison. He was the first of the 
clergymen to receive an annual salary of $300 from 
the federal prison where his good oflfices were much 
appreciated. This financial assistance came as a 
silver lining to the dark and lowering clouds, threat- 
ening to envelop a religious charge which had been 
given life and reared under most trying and many 
adverse conditions. 

Rev. Father William Ospital, O.S.B., followed 
Father McCaul, remaining until August 27, 1906, 
when the present incumbent Rev. Father J. M. 
Dougherty, O.S.B., assumed charge. 

The congregation was never more prosperous 
than at this time. It has increased largely in member- 
ship. Father Dougherty has done much to improve 
the church building both within and without through 
the devoted and loyal assistance rendered by the Al- 
tar Society of which mention will follow. 

The little parish of Fort Leavenworth had the 
distinguished honor of a visit from Cardinal Satolli 
in 1896. Colonel Hawkins, 20th Infantry, desired to 
tender the Pope's personal representative a review^ of 
the troops, but owing to the brief time at his dispo- 
sal the cardinal was forced to decline the honor with 
sincere regret. 



BtutBton iEtgiit 



iFnrt foawniunrtlj Altar BumtxtB 



109 



CHAPTER XII 

ALTAR SOCIETIES AT POST HAVE DONE MUCH FOR BOTH 
CHAPELS— ALTAR GUILD 

ARMY chaplains, serving at military stations, have 
ever experienced more or less difficulty in 
securing the means with which to obtain the neces- 
sary paraphernalia for an appropriate observation 
of church ceremonies, a condition which applies, with 
even greater force, to the Catholic chaplain, who is 
supported entirely by the liberality of his congrega- 
tion. 

To meet this want two altar societies, organ- 
ized in recent years, have done much to furnish both 
churches with the necessary paraphernalia and ac- 
cording to the records have fully justified their 
existence. 

One of these societies is known as the ''Altar 
Guild'* and represents the worshipers in the post 
chapel (Protestant) ; the other bears the name of * *St. 
Ignatius Chapel Altar Society' ' and represents the 
worshipers of the Catholic chapel. 

That much has already been accomplished by the 
Altar Guild, its annual reports indicate and follow in 
full, that the Guild may tell the story of its accom- 
pHshments in its own way. 

The first report is that of Mrs. S. B. Arnold: 
Fort Leavenv^orth, Kansas, 

June 5, 1909, 
To the Post Chaplain 

and members of the Garrison: 

As President of the Altar Guild I wish to submit 
the following report of the Guild for the past year, 
111 



112 3fort IC^au^nwcrtlj 

prefaced by a few remarks in regard to the events 
which led to its organization which seem necessary 
in order to explain its work. 

In the absence of a regular Post Chaplain— in 
February, 1908— the Chapel came under the volun- 
tary charge of Chaplain H. Percy Silver, the Episco- 
pal Chaplain on duty at the Military Prison. Through 
his efforts, the Chapel was put in thorough order; 
the Chapel itself, carpet and all tablets and brasses 
thoroughly cleaned; the Font removed to its proper 
position at the entrance of the Chapel, where a 
proper setting was made for it; an Altar arranged; 
numerous gifts and memorials were donated to 
beautify the Chapel, and the interest of a number of 
the women aroused in that part of church work which 
is distinctly their province. 

The Chapel being entirely without hangings and 
linens, this, the first Guild work, was undertaken by 
Mrs. Charles D. Rhodes, who, with some assistance 
from a few of the women of the Post, made a com- 
plete set of white and green hangings, with book 
markers for each and some linens, and for several 
months she, and the Misses Hall, did all the neces- 
sary work about the Altar. 

As the property of the Chapel increased, it 
seemed advisable to have some regular organization 
to see that this property was properly cared for, and 
to continue the work already started. 

To this end a meeting was called of those women 
most interested, at which Chaplain Silver presided, 
and the details of such on organization was arranged. 
At a subsequent meeting, on June 29, 1908, the Guild 
was organized under the name of the Altar Guild of 
the Post Chapel, and certain regulations adopted, the 
object of the Guild, as stated therein, being: — "to 
care for the Altar and all things pertaining thereto; 
to provide flowers for the Altar, and to hold as cus- 



31ta ailjttrrliPB m\h ^tl}ooiB IIS 



todians all gifts and memorials, and to be responsible 
for their proper use and care.'' 

It is intended that the Guild shall be seli-perpet- 
uating— doing the work of the chapel at all times 
according to the wishes of the chaplain in charge. 
Members may be of any denomination. 

The original Guild consisted of nine members: 

Mrs Charles D. Rhodes Mrs. Marie L. Snyder 

Mrs George E. Stockle Mrs. E. R. Gibson 

Miss Happersett Mrs. LeRoy Eltmge 

Mrs. L. R. Arnold Mrs. J. C. Raymond 

Mrs. 0. L. Spaulding 

of whom Mrs. Arnold was elected president and Mrs. 
Eltinge, secretary and treasurer. ^ ,^ ^ ., , 

During the summer the work of the Guild was 
limited, owing to the absence of most of the mem- 
bers but those remaining attended to all services, 
and the 1st of September the regular work was begun 
Chaplain Silver formally turning over to the care ot 
the Guild the following gifts and memorials: 

PRESENTED BY 

Brass Cross ... 3d Squadron, 13th Cavalry 

Brass Book Rest . . 3d Squadron, 13th Cava ry 

Altar Prayer Book . 3d Squadron, 13th Cavalry 

Brass Vases . . . 13th Infantry 

Brass Altar Rail . . Staff Class -Class of 1908 

Brass Prayer Desk . Faculty and Line Class o± iyu« 

Brass Lecturn . . Mrs. Charles McK. Saltzman 

Credence Table. . . Mrs. L. R. Arnold 

Font Cover . . • Fort Leavenworth Branch ot 

Woman's AuxiHary, Easter, 

1908. 

Bible Sunday School, Easter, 1908 

Altar Hangings, Prayer Books and Hymnals. 

To which have since been added: 

Prayer Book . . . Sunday School 
Candlesticks . . . Sunday School, Easter, 1909 
Font Ewer .... Fort Leavenworth Branch ot 

Woman's Auxiliary, Easter, 

1909 



11 Jf 3^0rt IGran^nmnrtlj 

In October, Chaplain Henry Swift took charge 
of the chapel, since which time all work has been 
done by his authority and with his approval, while 
the Guild also continued to assist Chaplain Silver as 
much as possible with his work at the prison as long 
as he remained in the post. 

Regular monthly meetings have been held, at 
which the Secretary and Treasurer's reports have 
been read, subjects of interest to church people have 
been discussed and all arrangements for work have 
been made. 

During the past year this work has consisted of 
the care of the altar, sacred vessels, linens aiid me- 
morials, the furnishing of flowers and candles for the 
altar, the attendance of some member at all services, 
the entire care and cleaning of the chancel, a gen- 
eral supervision of the cleaning of the chapel and 
the refurnishing of the vestry room. 

For convenience in the vestry room the Guild 
furnished: A washstand, for which Mrs. Pond do- 
nated a toilet set; a table; proper utensils for clean- 
ing the sacred vessels: all cleaning implements and 
materials, and designed a book case with closets at 
each end for vestments and cleaning materials, and 
a chest with compartments for all linens, hangings 
and moveable brasses when not in use. These latter 
the quartermaster kindly had made. 

At the suggestion of the Guild, which met with 
most cordial response, most of the flowers for the 
altar have been given as memorials by members of 
the post, they choosing their own dates. When not 
so donated the Guild has furnished them, so that the 
altar has never been without them on Sundays and 
feast days. 

Until March, the services at the prison and post 
chapels were at such hours that the flowers could be 



3lt0 (lII|urrl|rH aiih ^ti^aoia 115 

used at both places. Since then this has been im- 
possible and flowers have been sent to the Prison 
chapel only on those Sundays when Chaplain Swift 
has had a celebration of the Holy Communion there. 
All flowers used on the altar are sent to the sick, 
usually to the Prison hospital. 

The following needlework has been completed 
for the Post Chapel: 

Purple hangings and book-markers 
Red hangings and book-markers 
Complete set of linens, consisting of — 
Fair linen cloth Credence cover 

Linen veil Three purificators 

Burse Pall 

Corporale Two vestry credence 

clothes Chalice veil 
All made by hand and embroidered. 
For Chaplain Swift: 

One surplice and one stole 
For Chaplain Silver: 

One cassock, one stole, one set of altar Hn- 
en like the above without the credence 
clothes, and two sets of book markers. 
The mending and care of all vestments. 
The Guild wishes to take this opportunity of ack- 
nowledging with thanks, the bag for carrying the 
linens, made and donated by Miss Mary Stockle, and 
the special Easter donations which enabled them to 
get the materials for the red hangings and a few nec- 
essary articles for the vestry room. 

Vacancies have been created by the resignations 
of Mrs. Rhodes and Mrs. Raymond, owing to their 
departure from the post, and of Mrs. Snyder and 
Miss Happersett. These have been filled by Mrs. R. 
J. Burt, Miss Mary Fuller, Mrs. F. L. Munson, and 
Mrs. Charles Gerhardt, while there are at present 



116 3ntX IC^aup«mnrtI| 



two associate members, Mrs. G. P. Pond and Mrs. A. 
W. Bjornstad, there being allowed three associate 
members, from which vacancies in the regular Guild 
are filled. 

Enclosed please find Treasurer's Report of re- 
ceipts and expenditures. 

Lucille R. Arnold, 

President, 

Owing to changes in station of officers and with 
these, the departure of their families, the Guild has 
likewise had many changes in its membership, but 
arriving families have made possible the filling of such 
vacancies. The work has been followed up with an 
interest that speaks highly of the army woman, and 
gives evidence that she is everywhere ready to assist 
where good can be accomplished. 

The Guild's second annual report presents an 
account of what it accomplished during the year 
covered by the report. It is as follows: 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 

June 1, 1911. 
To The Post Chaplain 

and Members of the Garrison: 

As President of the Altar Guild I wish to submit 
the following report of the Guild for the past year: 

At the last meeting of the Guild last year the 
election of officers was held. Mrs. Munson was elec- 
ted President and Mrs. Eltinge Secretary and Treas- 
urer. The memberhip during the year has been as 
follows: 

active members 
Mrs. LeRoy Eltinge Mrs. Oliver Edwards 

Mrs. H. D. Wise Mrs. P. A. Wolf 

Mrs. F. W. VanDuyne Mrs. W. M. Cruikshank 
Miss Elliott Miss Mary Fuller 

Mrs. F. L. Munson 



JItB (ili)nvti)ts mxh ^dioula 117 

NON- ACTIVE MEMBERS 

Mrs. L. R. Arnold Mrs. E. R. Gibson 

Mrs. E. N. Jones Mrs. A. W. Bjornstad 

Mrs. 0. L. Spaulding Mrs. J. C. Raymond 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Mrs. J. F. Clapham Mrs. C. R. Day 

Mrs. A. G. Lott 

During the year the regular work of the Guild, 
consisting of the entire care of the chancel and me- 
morials, the furnishing of candles and flowers for the 
Altar, general supervision of the cleaning of the 
Chapel and attendance of some members at each ser- 
vice, has been attended to. 

The Guild has provided flowers for the Altar at 
all times when they have not been presented as me- 
morials, and wishes to thank General Funston f or the 
many he sent from his garden during the summer. 

The Guild also wishes to acknowledge the $15.00 
given from the church fund for the Christmas deco- 
rations. 

The needle work during the year has been a set 
of linens which the Guild sent to a mission in Kansas 
City, Kansas. It consisted of 

Fair Hnen cloth Linen veil 

Pall Chalice veil 

Burse Corporale 

Purificator 

The Guild provided a suitable floor covering of 
cork linoleum for the vestibule of the chapel. 

The following gifts have been presented to the 
Post Chapel during the year: 

Alms-box, presented by Class of '11, Army Staff 
College. 

Silver Chalice and Paten, presented by members 
of the Altar Guild of the Post Chapel. 

The wine and wafers used during the year were 



118 Ji^urt iCratipttUJortly 



given by Mrs. L. R. Arnold. 

Regular monthly meetings have been held at 
which the Secretary and Treasurer's reports have 
been read and the work of the Guild planned. 

Enclosed please find Treasurer's report of re- 
ceipts and expenditures. 

Athleen L. Munson, 



Secretary. 



Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 

May 29, 1911. 

To THE President and Ladies 

of the Altar Guild of the Post Chapel: 

I have the honor to report that during the past 

fiscal year the following sums of money have been 

received and expended by me: 

Dues, fines and funds for chalice . . $ 76.51 

Memorial Flowers 37.00 

For Altar, bread and wine 5.00 

Total $118.51 

The folio wings sums have been expended: 

For Chalice and Paten $ 36.56 

Linen Communion Set... 5.90 

Flowers 36.60 

Altar Bread 2.05 

Service 13.00 

Sundries . . . . 7. 15 

Linoleum for Vestibule 9.00 

Total $110.26 

Balance on hand .. .. $8.25 

Respectfully submitted, 

Effie Trotter Eltinge, 

Secretary and Treasurer. 



CHAPTER XIII 

CATHOLIC ALTAR SOCIETY DOES EFFECTIVE WORK 
FOR ST. IGNATIUS CHAPEL 

/|THE "St. Ignatius Chapel Altar Society" is anoth- 
^ er of the post's church organizations which has 
rendered most efficient aid in securing many im- 
provements to its House of Worship. The grounds 
have been beautified, the building vastly improved 
without and within, and the altar provided with can- 
delabras and many other articles necessary for a com- 
plete expression of Roman Catholic worship. 

Among the ladies prominent in the past few 
years in the work of the Altar Society may be men- 
tioned Mrs. Geo. LeR. Irwin, Mrs. D. L. Howell, 
Mrs. Walter H. Gordon, Mrs. James Ronayne, Mrs. 
James H. Frier, Mrs. J. R. Stone, Mrs. Arthur John- 
son, Mrs. J. W. McAndrew, Mrs. Hugh Drum, Mrs. 
M. J. Lenihan and Mrs. Fred W. Fuger. 

During these years the post commandants, Gen- 
eral J. Franklin Bell, Colonels Chas. B. Hall and 
Thomas- T. Davis, 18th Infantry, and Colonel H.R.H. 
Loughborough, 13th Infantry; also Major Michael J. 
Lenihan, 7th Infantry, have proved themselves very 
friendly to the Catholic chapel and to all of its work. 
The War Department, too, has shown its encourage- 
ment by granting the required allowance of fuel and 
light. All this helped to lighten the burden of those 
charged with the executive features belonging to 
the chapel. 

In the spring of 1906 the building was piped for 
water conveniences, under the administration of 

119 



120 IFort IGraiHMtmnrtli 

Rev. William Ospital. Mrs. LeR. Irwin and Major 
James E. Normoyle were instrumental in this im- 
provement. 

In 1907 a new roof was put on the building for 
which the congregation wa^ under obligation to Mrs. 
W. H. Gordon, Mrs. D. L. Howell and Colonel Geo. 
S. Young, and the ladies of the Altar Society. 

In 1908 electric lights ware installed in all parts 
of the building, at a considerable cost to the congre- 
gation. 

In 1910 a heating plant was installed to heat 
both the church and the rectory. 

Early in 1911 the chapel interior was frescoed 
at a cost of several hundred dollars. The work was 
done by a young Danish artist, Mr. Theodore Brash 
of Kansas City. 

In the summer of 1911 the exterior of the chapel 
was given a good coat of paint and the residence por- 
tion of the chapel remodeled and refurnished. 

In all of these improvements the Altar Society 
has done its full share. At this time the congrega- 
tion has increased to such an extent that Bishop 
Ward is anxious to relieve Rev. Father Dougherty 
from the Kickapoo mission in order that he may more 
fully devote his time to the work at Fort Leaven- 
worth. 



While organization is, in a great measure, res- 
ponsible for the effective assistance rendered the 
post's two churches by the altar societies, it is not to 
be inferred that during the period preceding their 
existence, no help came from the army of Christian 
women who resided at the post in the many years of 
its hfe. 

Indeed, their assistance, while lacking that unity 
of effort so effective in organization, was neverthe- 



3ft0 (lII)urdtrB anil ^rl|onlH 121 

less of greatest value and did much to sustain and 
encourage the ministers of both chapels. 

The author recalls on the Protestant side a num- 
ber of names which were a tower of strength in all 
church work and its allied branches. Among these 
were Mrs. General Pope, Mrs. Clara L. Nichols, for 
years the postmistress of the station; Mrs. J. P. 
Wright, the wife of Surgeon Wright, for many years 
on duty at the U. S. Military Prison; Mrs. Babcock, 
the wife of the late General J. B. Babcock, U.S.A.; 
Mrs. Hawkins, the widow of the late General H. S. 
Hawkins, U.S.A.; Mrs. Perin, the wife of Surgeon 
Perin, medical director on General Pope's staff; Mrs. 
Dunn, wife of Major Wm. McK. Dunn, 2d Artillery, 
and many others. 

Back in the seventies was the wife of Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel I. R. Dodge, 23d Infantry. She was a 
devoted member of the Roman Catholic church. Pos- 
sessed of great wealth, her purse was ever ready to 
advance the interests of the local chapel. The late 
Mrs. Sherman, wife of General Sherman, a frequent 
visitor at the post, interested herself in the growth 
of the little church and encouraged many others to 
do likewise. Mrs. Dallas, wife of a major in the 
23d Infantry, Mrs. Dodge, wife of Lieutenant F. L. 
Dodge, 23d Infantry, did much to aid the church 
work. 

In addition to these were the wives and daugh- 
ters of the hundreds of civilian employes and of the 
enlisted men serving at the post. These certainly 
did their full share in assisting the struggling con- 
gregation and it is largely due to their work that the 
church is in so flourishing a condition to-day. 



Itutatmi Ntnp 



Uttal g-tatiattrH of tl|f ^nat ^tnrp 1859 



123 



CHAPTER^XIV 

RECORD OF BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES AND BURIALS 
SINCE 1859 QUITE COMPLETE 

MP to 1875 nothing liad been done by army author- 
ities requiring the keeping of an official record 
at mihtary stations of the baptisms, marriages, deaths 
and funereal ceremonies, at which army chaplains 
may have officiated. The absence of such official re- 
cord was brought to the attention of General Pope, 
in command of the department of tlie Missouri. 
Recognizing its importance to the parties concerned, 
ortheirdescendants, hedirected (General Orders Num- 
ber 1, January 11, 1875) that all chaplains in his com- 
mand ''prepare a book and enter therein an accurate 
record of all marriages, baptismal and funeral ser- 
vices which they have performed, both for civilians 
and persons in the military service, at the posts at 
which they are now stationed, or in the vicinity 
thereof, with such particulars relative to each as may 
be of importance. This book must be considered as 
a part of the records of the post, and will be subject 
to inspection by inspecting officers." 

General Pope's order had no effect beyond the 
limits of his command, but it drew the attention of 
the War Department authorities who beheved that a 
similar regulation should affect all military stations 
within the United States. Accordingly General Pope's 
order was adopted and repubhshed to the army, as 
an original order from the War Department, without 
the dotting of an i or the crossing of a t. This order 
appeared on January 25, 1875, and is Number 3 of 
that year. 

125 



126 l^art IC^awfitmartli 



With a view to securing these statistics to em- 
brace the earhest possible time within the existence 
of the post, Chaplain Woart placed himself in com- 
munication with such of his predecessors as he was 
able to locate. He found Chaplain Stone had kept a 
record of his official acts. Every official cere- 
mony or church service from tlie time he came to the 
post in 1859, until his departure in May, 1868, was 
made of record and this journal he kindly placed at 
the disposal of the post authorities. 

At this point it is well to reproduce the official 
statement of Chaplain Woart covering his correspon- 
dence with Chaplain Stone, and which was made a 
part of the record containing the valuable statistics, 
accompanied by a certificate from the adjutant of 
the post, Lieutenant George W. Baird, Fifth Infan- 
try, that the copy made agrees with the record fur- 
nished by Chaplain Stone. 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 

July 2J^, 1875, 

The foregoing notices of official acts were sent 
to me, at my request, for use in this record book, by the 
Rev. Hiram Stone, Post Chaplain in the U. S. Army. 
These acts were performed by Mr. Stone during the 
time that he was stationed at this post, from Octo- 
ber 6, 1859, to May 29, 1868. 

In a letter accompanying the foregoing notices 
Mr. Stone writes: 

* 'During the war especially, it was almost impos- 
sible and quite impracticable to obtain the names 
and other particulars of deceased persons, owing 
to the multitude of troops that were constantly com- 
ing to and going from the post. At this date it is 
impossible to conceive the state of things then exist- 
ing. People would come to me to baptize and bury 
when a command was just on the move; and in the 



3ltH (fll|urrhra anJi grlinolfl 127 

case of burials, it oftimes occurred that I was called 
to go directly to the grave where it is almost impos- 
sible to learn the age and sometimes the name of 
of the deceased. This will account for the lack of 
names and dates which frequently occur." 

The Reverend William Vaux, who was stationed 
at this post for a short time after Mr. Stone left, 
was an accurate man, but as his minutes of duties 
performed were lost, no record of them can be made 
here. 

Assisted by the post adjutant at this post, I 
have very carefully examined the copy of official 
acts by Mr. Stone, now entered in this book, with the 
copy of them made by Mr. Stone from his private 
official record book, and sent to me as I have above 
stated; and the adjutant hereby unites with me in 
certifying to the entire agreement Vv'ith the copy 
here referred to made by Mr. Stone of the copy in- 
serted in this book. 

John Woart, 
Post Chaplain, U. S. Army. 

G. W. Baird, 
1st Lieut. & Adft, 5th Inf., 

Post Adjutant. 

The value of these records was recently proved 
through the request of a soldier's widow that she 
be furnished with a certificate of her marriage said to 
have occurred at the post in 1861 and at which Rev. 
Hiram Stone officiated. She gave the date of the 
ceremony and it was found so recorded. 

With Chaplain Stone's data a good start was 
made in the opening of this record. The require- 
ment to maintain such a record has been faithfully 
adhered to and is now the most valuable asset 
among the archives of the post. 



128 3 art Idrnvrnxmoxtli 



The first marriage recorded is that of Lieutenant 
0. D. Green to Miss Kate Rich.* This event ocurred 
at the post October 6, 1859. The bride was the 
daughter of the then Post Trader, Hiram Rich. 
Lieutenant Green became later an officer in the adju- 
tant general's department and was familiarly known 
as General Oliver D. Green. 

Of the laying of the cornerstone and dedication 
of the post's present chapel Chaplain Woart made the 
following entry: 

"At 6 o'clock, P.M., on the fifth day of May, 
Sunday, the second after Easter, in the year of our 
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, 
the chaplain at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, laid the 
cornerstone of a new post chapel on Arsenal avenue, t 
at this post, in the presence of the commander of 
the department of the Missouri, John Pope, Brigadier 
General in the U. S. Army, and Brevet Major Gen- 
eral, and his family; and the officers of the General's 
staff, and their famihes; and most of the officers of 
the Twenty-Third Infantry and their families; and 
many ealisted men, and others residing at the post, 
and the officers and others connected with the United 
States Military Prison, with their chaplain Rev. A. 
D. Mitchell; and a few distinguished officers from 
abroad. There were Hkewise present, Rt. Rev. F. 
H. Vail, D.D., L.L.D., of Topeka, Kansas; the Rev. 
T. W. Barry, of the church of St. Paul, Leavenworth, 
Kansas, and a large number of citizens from that 
city." 

The chaplain's report to the Adjutant General of 
the U. S. Army, for November, A.D., eighteen hun- 
dred and seventy-eight, concluded as follows: 

* Both deceased. 

t Now Scott Avenue. 



3ft0 OIl|urrl|FB nnh ^rlinola 129 

"It is with great pleasure that I mention that 
on Thursday, the twenty-eighth day of the present 
month I performed rehgious services at the opening 
of the new post chapel recently completed at the 
military post. It is well built, very handsome and 
admirably adapted to the purposes for which it was 
erected. God's Holy Name be praised." 

An account of the first baptism and marriage in 
the new post chapel deserves to be made of record 
here and is given below: 

"At the Post Chapel, on Arsenal Avenue, at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, on Wednesday, January twent- 
ty-second, A.D., eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, 
I baptized Ida, born September sixteenth, A.D., 
eighteen hundred and seventy-eight, daughter of 
George H. C. Ashman, chief musician of the band of 
the Twenty-third Infantry, and his wife Emma L. 
W. Ashman. The parents of the child answered the 
questions in the service.'' 

"At the post chapel, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 
on Tuesday in Whitsun week, June third, A.D., 
eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, in the presence 
of a large number of persons, I united in holy matri- 
mony, according to the forms and ceremonies of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in these United States, 
and agreeable to the laws of the State of Kansas, 
Sidney Hayden, jr., Attorney and Counselor-at-law 
at Holton, Jackson County, in the State of Kansas, 
son of Sidney Hayden, sr., of Sayre, Bradford Coun- 
ty, in the State of Pennsylvania, and Mary Walker, 
daughter of the late Joseph Walker*, M.D., of Platte 
County, in the State of Missouri, formerly a surgeon 
in the U. S. Army, and his wife, Mrs. F. J. Walker. 

♦ Assistant Surgeon August 21, 1838; resigned April 2, 
1849. Born in Bermuda, Illinois. 



130 3txtt ICpatt^nmortl) 



The woman was given to be married to the man by 
a first cousin of Mrs. F. J. Walker, above named, 
Colonel John H. Winston, of Platte County, above 
named. ' ^ 

These notices of funerals are taken from the 
record: 

''July 29, 1877 -At the house of the family of the 
deceased, and at the military cemetery, at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, on Sunday evening, July twen- 
ty-ninth, A.D., eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, 
I performed funeral services at the interment of 
Robert Thomas Jackson. He was born in Third St. , 
James Square, Pall Mall, London, England, on the 
tenth day of March, A.D., eighteen hundred and ten. 
At the age of nineteen he came to the United States 
and at St. Louis, Missouri, in eighteen hundred and 
twenty-nine, was made chief musician in the band 
of the Sixth regiment of the United States Infantry. 
He served in that regiment twenty-seven years. 
When he was discharged he went to the city of St. 
Paul, Minnesota, to reside. In eighteen hundred and 
fifty-eight he enlisted in the First U. S. Cavalry, 
afterwards known as the Fourth, serving in that 
regiment three years and seven months. In eight- 
een hundred and sixty-three he was appointed Wa- 
gon and Forage Master at Fort Leavenworth, Kan- 
sas, the duties of which position he discharged faith- 
fully till the time of his death. He was baptized and 
confirmed in early life, in the church of England. 
He was a highly respected member of the Masonic 
fraternity, having attained the thirty-first degree.'* 

William Jackson, employed by the quartermas- 
ter department at the United States Military Prison, 
is the youngest son of the deceased veteran. 

"August 3, 1877— On Friday evening, August 



3lt0 OIl|nrrl|pfi nnh ^rlioala 131 

third, A.D., eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, at 
the post chapel, and at the military cemetery, at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, I performed funeral ser- 
vices at the interment of the following-named offi- 
cers of the Seventh U. S. Cavalry, who were killed 
in an engagement with hostile Indians of the Sioux 
tribe, at the Little Big Horn River, in the Territory 
of Montana, on the twenty-fifth day of June, A.D., 
eighteen hundred and seventy-six: 

Captain George W. Yates, 
Captain Thomas W. Custer, 
First Lieutenant Aigeron E. Smith, 
First Lieutenant Donald Mcintosh, 
First Lieutenant James Calhoun. 

"A very large number of people were present at 
the ceremonies/^ 

"June 8, 1881— On Wednesday afternoon, June 
eighth, A.D., eighteen hundred and eighty-one, I at- 
tended the funeral at the post chapel and at the mili- 
tary cemetery at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, of 
Hartford T. Clarke, born at Providence, Rhode Is- 
land, July third, A.D., eighteen hundred and twen- 
ty-seven, son of the late Senator John Hopkins 
Clarke, a member of the Senate of the United States 
from the state of Rhode Island. The deceased, Hart- 
ford T. Clarke, was, at the time of his death, a hos- 
pital steward in the U. S. Army, stationed at the 
U. S. Military Prison at the fort above named." 

Mr. John H. Clarke, employed at Fort Leaven- 
worth as assistant engineer in the mechanical de- 
partment of the post quartermaster, is a son of the 
late H. T. Clarke and a great-great-grandson of the 
John Hopkins of Rhode Island whose signature is at- 
tached to the Declaration of Independence. 



itutston ®f n 



ArmQ f 0ung Mma OIIjnBttan KBBOtintwn 



133 



CHAPTER XV 

AN ARMY YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 
BUILDING ERECTED IN 1907 

AN agitation in favor of the erection of a build- 
ing- at Fort Leavenworth suitable for the pur- 
poses of the Army Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion was undertaken by Chaplain John S. Randolph, 
6th U. S. Infantry, during his tour of duty at the 
post, 1902 to 1905. Before being able to make a 
success of his work, his regiment was ordered to 
the Philippines. His successor. Chaplain John T. 
Axton, 18th Infantry, upon assuming his duties at 
the post in the early part of February, 1905, realiz- 
ingthe necessity for a building of the kind referred to, 
set to work along his own lines, and by the latter 
part of March was assured by the International Com- 
mittee of the Y. M. C. A., that Miss Helen Miller 
Gould agreed to erect a building and furnish the 
same at a cost not to exceed $50,000.00. Chaplain 
Axton 's efforts had the official endorsement of 
General J. Frankhn Bell, commandant of the service 
schools and of Colonel Charles B. Hall, 18th Infan- 
try, commanding the post. 

Upon the assurance that the money would be 
furnished, authority to erect the building on the re- 
servation was obtained. October 23, 1907, the edifice, 
a most beautiful structure without, and handsomely 
furnished within, was dedicated with ceremonies due 
the donor and befitting the purpose for which erect- 
ed, Miss Helen Gould attending the dedication. Addres- 
ses were delivered by Governor E. W. Hoch of Kansas, 
Brigadier-General Charles B. Hall, Rev. Chas. M. 

136 



136 



Jl^ort ?Ipauf timnrtij 



Sheldon, author of "In His Steps," and William B. 
Millar, International Secretary of the Army and Na- 
vy Department of the Y. M. C. A. Additional cere- 
monies were conducted in the evening exclusively 
for the enHsted men. Miss Gould was the guest of 
honor, and received from the thousand and more men 
present a welcome she will always remember. 

The plans for the building were drawn by Mr. 
T. C. Link, of St. Louis, approved by Miss Gould, 
the International Committee and the military author- 
ities, and the contract awarded to Mr. James A. Mc- 
Gonigle, of Leavenworth. 

Upon the south wall of the lobby a brass tablet 
was placed bearing the following inscription: 



This Building was Erected for the 

Army and Navy Department of the 

International Committee By 

HELEN MILLER GOULD 

In Loving Memory of Her Father 

JAY GOULD 

October 23, 1907 



Since the banners of the Young Men's Christian 
Association have always been dedicated to virtue and 
not to creed, and its methods of work have been 
along sane and practical lines, Miss Gould's gift has 
been a very great contribution to the moral and re- 
ligious welfare and contentment of the enlisted men 
of the Fort Leavenworth garrison. 

In the little over four years that the building has 
been open a great work has been carried on for the 
men of the post, in the varied lines of Association 
activities. Bible classes and religious services have 




A LOBBY SCENE IN THE ARMY Y. M. C. A. BUILDING 



• \:Mm. •••*. 




i^»^: • 






^ A'- ! 




\ 


:^^^^M 









GYMNASIUM, ARMY Y. M. C. A. 



dtB Olljurriira anb ^rl|oola 137 

been held and a very large number of men have been 
touched by them. A strong educational work has 
also been done. Practical and helpful courses have 
been given, under competent instructors, at very 
low cost to the men, and many have availed them- 
selves of this opportunity for profitably putting in 
some of their leisure hours. Athletics, too, have 
come in for their part. Baseball, football, basket- 
ball and bowling occupying the foreground. Socials 
and entertainments of various kinds have been given 
from time to time, all of which greatly appre- 
ciated by the men. 

In fact almost any man's taste or fancy may be 
met in the magnificent building with its spacious and 
comfortable lobby, reading and correspondence 
room, well selected library, educational class and 
study rooms, finely equipped gymnasium, baths, 
bowling alleys, bilHard and pool tables, and many 
other features to be found in the building, 

From the annual report of the Secretary of the 
Fort Leavenworth branch of the association the fol- 
lowing interesting figures are gleaned and give one 
a fair idea of the work that is being accomplished: 

Men at post, 2,000: total membership, 300; on 
committees, 60; average daily attendance, 180. 

Letters written, 17,772, 

Visits to sick, 120, 

Entertainments, 42; attendance, 3,912, 

Games played — Bowling, 660; pool, 2,962; other 
games, 7,727, 

Gospel meetings— Number, 81; total attend- 
ance, 3,355, 

Bible classes— Number, 4; enrollment, 300; total 
attendance, 8,660, 

Church parties — Number, 23; total attend- 
ance, 330, 



1S8 Jffnrt H^atirumnrtli 

Attendance classes, meetings and church par- 
ties for year, 12,345; professed conversions, 139; 
joined church, 26. 

Attendance two gymnasium classes, 860, 

Exercises outside classes, 1,168, 

On athletic teams, 59, 

Visitors at gymnasium games, 1,646, 

Visitors to outside games, 400, 

Number of educational classes, 18, 

Number of different students, 180, 

Lectures and practical talks, 8, 

Total attendance at same, 225, 

Volumes loaned and traveling libraries, 1,320, 

Times used, 4,674, 

Testaments distributed, 150. 

To Chaplain Axton belongs the credit for the 
success achieved in this work. He zealously assisted 
in planning and then watching the work of construc- 
tion, and remained at the post long enough to reahze 
to the fullest extent a long cherished hope and a 
meeting of every expectation when the great work 
was undertaken. 

The present secretary of the local branch is Mr. 
H. W. Chaffee, who has had a great deal of exper- 
ience in this class of work in navy branches. 



Following is the law under which the Secre- 
tary of War granted a license for the erection of the 
building: 

An act for the authorization of the erection of 
buildings by the International Committee of Young 
Men's Christian Association on military reservations 
of the United States. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives of the United States of America in Con- 
gress assembled, That authority is hereby given to 
the Secretary of War, in his discretion, to grant per- 




BIBLE CLASS OF THE ARMY Y. M. C A. 




LIBRARY BEFORE CALL TO EDUCATIONAL CLASSES 
OF THE ARMY Y. M. C. A. 



3lt0 (ElntrdifB mxh ^cl^oois 139 

mission by revocable license to the International 
Committee of Young Men's Christian Association of 
North America to erect and maintain, on the mili- 
tary reservations within the United States or its is- 
land possessions, such buildings, as their v^ork for 
the promotion of the social, physical welfare of the 
garrison may require, under such regulations as the 
Secretary of War may impose. 
Approved May 3, 1902. 



iimHian Ekwit 



®lf^ Pnat'a i^rtjnnl iFarilitirs 



141 



CHAPTER XVI 

THE POST'S SCHOOL FACILITIES -PUBLIC SCHOOL 
MAINTAINED BY STATE OF KANSAS 

IJ'NTIL within the last decade Fort Leavenworth's 
^ educational facilities for the children of the 
post were limited to the class of schools provided by 
the government and the maintenance of private schools 
at the expense of those whose children attended them. 
The distance between many posts and nearby com- 
munities made it inconvenient for small children to at- 
tend their public schools; except where rapid transit 
permitted. 

Under the law of 1838 authorizing the appoint- 
ment of chaplains*, it was also provided that they 
serve as school teachers at posts where tuition was 
necessary. These schools v/ere, however, in most 
instances mere makeshifts, schools in name only, 
and did not at all answer the educational require- 
ments of the youth even in those early days when 
the three R's were supposed to be sufficient to meet 
the ordinary demands for an education. Later the 
detail of enlisted men as "school masters" was au- 
thorized. This was an improvement on the primeval 
method the government practiced. Where compe- 
tent soldiers were found such details were usually 
made to assist the chaplains, or rather perform the 
work under their direction. 

* Under the provisions of this law the post council of 
Fort Leavenworth appointed the Rev. Henry Gregory its 
chaplain. Upon taking up this labor in a new field, the chap- 
lain established a school as provided for by law. This gives 
Fort Leavenworth the distinction of having had in its midst 
the first school for white children upon Kansas soil. 
143 



iJfJi, Jffflrt iC^atirnmortlj 



In recent years, however, frontier posts have 
become a thing of the past; v^hile rapid transit facili- 
ties have made it possible at most military stations 
for army children to attend the public schools of the 
nearby communities which, in nearly all instances, 
furnish free tuition. With the improved condi- 
tions the methods so long in use in the army have 
been thrown in the discard except where it is not 
practicable to send the smaller children to a dis- 
tant public school and where a kindergarten edu- 
cation as will meet requirements. 

Fort Leavenworth is today the most favored of 
all military stations in the United States in the way 
of school facilities for her youth. Not only does the 
post enjoy the free use of the city's public schools, 
but additional facilities are furnished in a pubHc 
school within the post, supplied at the expense of 
the State of Kansas. 

Before detailing the causes that led up to, and 
the methods pursued which finally secured such splen- 
did school privileges for the post, it is believed to 
be quite appropriate to reproduce at this point an ex- 
tract from a paper on ''Education in Kansas" by E. 
T. Fairchild, State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion. It will indicate why the state responded so 
promptly to requests for assistance along educational 
lines at this post and at the same time lay the found- 
ation for what is to follow: 

''Kansas is the second state in the Union in point 
of literacy. The advance made by the public schools 
since its organization as a state is fully abreast of 
the splendid progress made in all other directions. A 
brief comparison of the statistics then and now will 
clearly establish this fact. 

* 'Fifty years ago the value of all public school 
property was $10,000; today it is $20,800,000.00. Dur- 



ing this same time the school population has grown 
from less than 5,000 to 516,000. The amount paid 
out for school purposes in 1863 was $54,000, while in 
1910 it was $9,000,000.00. 

* 'Fifty years ago the average length of the 
school term in weeks was 12.8, while now it is 30. 
That is to say 27.2 weeks have been added. The 
number of teachers employed has increased from 200 
to 13,467. For salaries of teachers the amount has 
grown from $14,000 to $5,700,000.00. The salaries 
of teachers has increased from an average of $18 to 
$61 a month. 

"But these are in large part but evidences of the 
material growth of our schools. And this materal 
betterment is most gratifying. It is a long cry from 
the little sod school house of 1861 to the splendid 
school buildings of today. The high school build- 
ings, unheard of in the early days of our state, are 
marvels of beauty and excellence. Ranging in cost 
from $10,000 to $200,000, they stand as splendid ex- 
amples of twentieth century care and consideration 
for the well being of our youth. The country school- 
house, too, is feeling the effect of modern apprecia- 
tion of the esthetic and the value of a proper en- 
vironment for the child. Proper lighting, heating 
and ventilation are now regarded as essential qual- 
ities. 

"But, better than all of these is the demand for 
more thoroughly and more widely trained teachers. 
However well the teachers of the early sixties met 
the need of the times, the teacher of today must be 
vastly better trained. Our views of what the schools 
must do for the child have radically changed. To 
prepare our boys and girls for the active duties of a 
new and wonderful age requires much more than a 
passing knowledge of the three R's. The twentieth 



lJf6 3vitt ICrattrnmortly 

century that promises to be the most complex, the 
most strenuous and the most democratic of all ages 
calls for a broader and a more comprehensive train- 
ing than sufficed for our fathers/' 

When in 1899 the war department decided upon 
the enlargement of Fort Leavenworth, a considera- 
ble increase of its even then large school population, 
was anticipated. The need for improved facilities 
for the education of the children of soldiers, officers 
and civilian employes was so apparent that imme- 
diate steps were taken to secure them. The effort re- 
sulted in the obtainment of a law from the Kansas leg- 
islature organizing the Fort Leavenworth Military 
Reservation into a separate school district ar,d provi- 
ding it with the necessary machinery for operation 
under its general school laws. 

When the state ceded back to the federal govern- 
ment its jurisdiction over the territory embraced 
within the reservation it retained the right to tax 
the corporate interests within its limits. Up to the 
time of this enactment the reservation had been di- 
vided by the superintendent of Public Instruction 
for Leaven v/orth county for school taxing purposes 
by adding the divisions to adjoining districts on the 
north and west, thus giving these districts the oppor- 
tunity to tax these properties and reducing thereby 
their own expenses. 

The value of the taxable property within the 
Fort Leavenworth district, according to the assess- 
ment for 1911 is $506,840.00, tenth in valuation in 
the county. With a levy of forty-five cents on every 
one hundred dollars of taxable property, that being 
the maximum allowed by the general school laws of 
the state, the district last year realized $2,265.75. 
To this add the apportionment made from the state 
school fund, which the special law directs, and 



iftfi (lIl|urd|rB ixwh grtiimlB 1^? 



which last year was $205.64, the Fort Leavenworth 
school district enjoys a revenue per annum of 
$2,371,39. 

The idea of securing from the legislature a 
special enactment providing for the organization of 
the Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation as a 
separate district was born of the failure to secure 
from the Leavenworth Board of Education authority 
to admit Fort children to its schools, without the 
payment of a tuition fee. The author, who had pre- 
sented a petition to the board praying for such ac- 
tion, knew its refusal did not represent the senti- 
ment of the community. This refusal determined 
him to even greater effort and victory finally came 
all along the Hne. Its fruits are now enjoyed by the 
residents of the post. 

This failure, however, was only temporary. The 
author, who had undertaken to obtain improved 
school facilities at the post, hit upon the idea em- 
braced within the law under which its public school 
is now conducted. He presented his views to Mr. 
R. C. Middleton, an attorney, who agreed with him 
upon the propriety of such a law. A bill was drawn 
and forwarded to State Senator Louis H. Wulfekuhl- 
er of Leavenworth County within a few days of the 
close of the session of 1901, urgently requesting 
to secure its passage. The prompt action of the legis- 
lature was proof that it recognized the justice of the 
request, and to Senator Wulfekuhler is due great 
credit for his effort, 

The text of the law is as follows: 

An act creating a school district out of the Fort 
Leavenworth military reservation. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of 
Kansas. 



iJfS S^nrt fUrau^nmnrtli 



Section 1. That the Fort Leavenworth Mihtary 
Reservation, by and with the consent of the War 
Department of the United States, be and the same 
is hereby set apart, established and created a school 
district, to be designated and known as the ''Fort 
Leavenworth school district/' 

Section 2. That the board of county commis- 
sioners of the county of Leavenworth, Kansas, be 
and is hereby authorized and empowered to establish 
maintain and conduct a common school upon the 
said Fort Leavenworth military reservation, the same 
as other district schools under the general school 
laws of the state; provided that the duties and pov/- 
ers of officers of school districts under the general 
school laws shall, for the purpose of this act, de- 
volve upon and be exercised by the said board of 
county commissioners, which said board is hereby 
empowered and authorized to levy a tax each year 
upon the franchises and property of railroad com- 
panies, bridge companies and other corporations on 
said reservation, as may be deemed necessary, to es- 
tablish, maintain and conduct said district school, 
not to exceed in any one year the maximum rate au- 
thorized by law to be levied by the trustees of other 
school districts within said county and state, and 

Provided further, That no part of the taxes so 
levied or collected shall at any time be used in the 
erection of a school building or buildings upon the 
said military reservation, and such moneys shall only 
be used and expended in establishing, maintaining and 
conducting a common school or schools upon such 
reservation, in such building or buildings thereon as 
may be provided by the War Department or the De- 
partment of Justice, the use of which may be per- 
mitted or authorized by the commanding officer in 
charge at Fort Leavenworth or by the warden at 
the Federal Prison at said Fort Leavenworth. 



3ltfi (El|urrhrfi <xnh iirlyiiolB H9 

Section 3. That for the purpose of listing, as- 
sessing and valuing the franchises and property of 
railroad companies, bridge companies and other cor- 
porations on said reservation, and in order that the 
taxes for school purposes may be levied and collect- 
ed thereon, it is hereby made the duty of revenue 
officers of the state or the county of Leavenworth, as 
the case may be, according to the class or character 
of the franchise or property to be taxed for the pur- 
pose of this act, to do and perform whatever acts or 
things are or may be necessary to be done or per- 
formed, to all intents and purposes the same as such 
officer or officers are or may be required by law to do 
or perform under the general school laws of the 
state, and to the same extent as if such franchises 
and properties were not situated upon the Fort 
Leavenworth Military Reservation; Provided, 
That the franchises and property of the railroad 
companies, bridge companies and other cor- 
porations so taxed under the provisions of this 
act shall not be liable for school taxes in any other 
school district; and. Provided further, That the coun- 
ty treasurer of the county of Leavenworth shall be 
ex officio treasurer of the said Fort Leavenworth 
district school. 

Section 4. A school census shall be taken, as 
required by law, of all children of school age situated, 
living or residing upon said military reservation, and 
for the purpose of this act such school census shall 
be taken by the superintendent of schools in and for 
the said county of Leavenworth, a copy of which 
shall be kept on file in his office, and he shall file a 
copy thereof with the state superintendent of public 
instruction, as required by law, under the general 
school laws; and any and all moneys apportioned by 
the state to the county of Leavenworth or the district 



150 Fnrt Siraurnmortlf 

schools therein shall be so apportioned that said Fort 
Leavenworth district school shall have and receive 
its just proportion thereof, which amount shall be 
paid into the hands of the country treasurer of Leav- 
enworth county for the use and benefit of said school 
district. 

Section 5. All acts and parts of acts in conflict 
with this act are hereby repealed. 

Section 6. That this act shall take effect and 
be in force from and after its publication in the offi- 
cial state paper. 

Published in official state paper March 29, 1901, 

The law reached the governor too late before the 
closing hours of legislative session to permit its ex- 
amination and became effective, without his signa- 
ture, after publication in the official state paper. 

The following letter from Senator Wulfekuhler 
deserves place here: 

Leavenworth, Kansas, 

July 29, 1910. 
Henry Shindler, 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 
My Dear Sir:— Replying to your communication of 
the 28th rcjlative to an Act of the Legislature of the 
State of Kansas entitled **An Act to estabhsh and 
maintain a Public School on the Fort Leavenworth 
Military Reservation in the State of Kansas" being 
Senate Bill No. 512, passed in the regular session of 
the Legislature in 1901, will say that this bill was 
sent to me by yourself stating that being nearly at 
the end of the session you had Mr. Middleton, then 
a resident of this city, prepare the bill, and the day 
that I received the bill, I introduced the same in the 
Kansas State Senate and I believe gave a copy to 
Hon. John M. Hund then representing the Sixth Le- 



3tfi (lll|«rrl)r0 anb i^rl|aola i5i 

gislative District* of this county to introduce in the 
House just as received. The Senate bill was passed 
first and messaged to the House as fast as the same 
could be done the same then passed by the House 
and became a law. The bill as sent me by you was 
not changed in any word, figure or syllable but 
passed and became a law just as sent to me by your- 
self. 

Yours Very Truly, 

L. H. WULFEKUHLER 

The post authorities did not avail themselves of 
this grant until 1906, a building for school purposes 
not being available. In the year named a building 
for many years occupied by the post commander, was 
set aside for the purpose and the school established. 
The attention of the mihtary authorities was called 
to the post's inadequate school facilities by Colonel 
H. 0. Perley, Surgeon, Medical Corps, in charge of 
the school as local manager, representing the par- 
ents of pupils. The response was prompt and to the 
effect that plans and estimates be prepared and for- 
warded for approval. This has been done and a site 
selected. The latter is on the east side of the gar- 
rison, fronting Merritt Place, an excellent location, 
secluded, yet convenient, it being in the very center 
of the post's school population. The plans were 
drawn along modern lines for a school building and 
are very complete in every detail. It's cost is to be 
$20,000. 

Subsequent to the enactment of the law for a 
public school at the post, an election was held in the 
city of Leavenworth for members for the board of 
education. The friends for a free school for the 
Fort Leavenworth children took an active part in the 

* The Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation lies within 
this district. 



152 Wott KiniMmmtixthi 

contest, resulting in the overwhelming defeat of 
every candidate unfavorable to such demand. 
Among the first acts of the nev/ board was the adop- 
tion of the resolution, w^hich follows, introduced by 
Mr. W. N. Todd, to-wit: 

That Regulation No. 7 be amended by 
adding the follovving: Provided, That no 
tuition shall be charged residents of Fort 
Leavenworth and Soldiers' Home, in the 
graded schools. 

It is the sense of the board that no tui- 
tion be collected from High school pupils, 
and that pupils of the Fort and Soldiers' 
Home be considered as resident pupils. 
Adopted September 15, 1902. 

Notwithstanding that the post has its own public 
school, a number of the children attend the public 
schools of the city and all qualified attend its High 
school. 

The local press was unanimous in the support of 
the board's action as the following indicates: 

A SPLENDID MOVE 

(Western Life) 

In opening the doors of our public schools to the 
children of Fort Leavenworth and the Soldiers' Home 
on the same footing with the actual resident children 
of the city the board of education has done a com- 
mendable thing. It is our duty to cultivate the most 
friendly relations with the people of the Fort and 
Home and every action of this character will be 
viewed in the spirit in which it is taken. 

The vote on the proposition was almost unanim- 
ous and the people will approve its action. 

To Mr. Henry Shindler much of the credit is due 
for finally securing favorable results. He has been 
endeavoring to obtain this privelege for the past two 



3lta (El|urrl|fa att^ S>rl|unl0 153 

years. It has required a complete change in the per- 
sonnel of the board. Not another man in this com- 
munity is so well qualified to discuss every phase of 
Fort Leavenworth affairs as Mr. Shindler and the 
presentation of the facts to the present board made 
up of broad minded men, has been done in a manner 
that carried conviction with it. 



CHAPTER XVII 

A PAROCHIAL SCHOOL AT THE POST CONDUCTED FOR 

MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS 
/|THE large Catholic population of the post forced the 
^ church authorities to provide suitable school fac- 
ilities for the youth of that faith. The Jesuit fathers 
were, at this time, 1868, in charge, and these asked 
the services of the Sisters of Charity of Leaven- 
v^orth Mount St. Mary's Academy, to assist. The 
latter were encouraged to take up this v/ork by Mrs. 
Schofield, the wife of Major General J. M. Schofield,* 
then an official resident of the post. Rooms for this 
purpose were obtained on the first floor of a building 
known as "Bedlam,^'* on the west side of the gar- 

*In his "Forty-six Years in the Army" General Schofield 
says: "The department headquarters were removed to St. 
Louis during the winter of 1869-70 to make room at Fort 
Leavenworth for the cavalry who had been on the plains dur- 
ing the summer * * * We returned to Fort Leavenworth 
in the following spring, and expected to make that our per- 
manent home. Some necessary improvements had been 
made in the quarters during the winter, and none could have 
desired a more comfortable residence, more congenial com- 
panionship, or more agreeable occupation than that of guard- 
ing and protecting the infant settlements of industrious but 
unarmed and confiding people rapidly spreading far out 
upon the plains." 

"It was a large two storj^ frame, with front and back 
porches and stone basement. It was the quarters of unmar- 
ried officers, with an officers' mess attached. (A lieutenant 
in those days would be content with one room, and all of his 
furniture would not be worth twenty-five dollars.) 'Twas 
here they fought the battles o'er, from West Point and the 
girls they left behind them, through the swamps of Florida, 
the wilds of Texas, over the great plains, the mountains, on 

165 



156 IFnrt Crau^nmottli 



rison. There the school was conducted for some 
years and then removed to St. Ignatius chapel. Rev. 
Father O'Reilley caused a part of the main church 
auditorium to be partitioned off for this purpose and 
it was so used for a number of years, when the sisters 
removed the school to a building constructed for the 
purpose. The correspondence which follows ex- 
plains how the school building came to be erected: 

Leavenworth, Kansas, 
Hon. G. M. McCrary, August 31, 1877. 

Secretary of War, 

Washington, D. C. 
Your Honor:~I, the Roman Cathohc Bishop of 
the diocese of Leavenworth, Kan., beg leave most 
respectfully to submit the following to your kind 
consideration: My predecessor, Bishop J. B. Miege, 
addressed to the Secretary of War a petition, en- 
dorsed by the commanding general of the Depart- 
ment of the Missouri, setting forth the great need of 
church facilities for the Catholic officers, soldiers 
and civilians in the employ of the United States 
government at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and 
praying that a piece of ground be set apart for the 
creation of suitable church buildings for said mem- 
bers of the church at the aforementioned Fort. An 
order was then issued by the War Department dated 
January 10, 1871, in virtue of which a piece of 
ground 200 feet square, was set apart and permission 
granted for the erection of a Roman Catholic church 
at the expense of its mem.bers. A good brick build- 
ing was put up and suitably furnished at a cost of 

the Pacific Slope and the fields of Mexico. 'Twas here they 
met after tedious campaigns, recounted their triumphs, dis- 
appointments and hardships; through heat, cold, hunger and 
disease — and now the feast, if not always of reason, at least 
the flow of soul -and other things."— P. G. Lowe, in ^^Five 
Years a Dragoon.^^ 



3itB OIliitrrhfB ati& frlinnlfi i57 

$10,000. Before the church was built the mihtary 
authorities had assigned an old frame building for 
church as well as for school purpose, and for 
the latter purpose it served until a year ago when 
the attending clergyman was notified to vacate the 
building, as it would be needed for post purposes. 
The school was conducted by Sisters of Charity. For 
the last year the school was kept up at the expense 
of the members of the church at the Fort at the 
church edifice. Hov/ever, as this building is entirely 
unsuitable for school purposes, I beg leave most re- 
spectfully to petition your honor in behalf of the 
Catholic officers, soldiers and civilians at the Fort, to 
grant permission, that the members of the Roman 
Catholic congregation of said post may erect a proper 
and suitable school building on the church premises 
and will ever pray to be, honorable sir. 

Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) LOUIS M. FINK, 0. S. B., 

Roman Catholic Bishop of Leavemvorth. 



Headquarters of the Army, 

Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, D. C, Oct. 27, 1877, 
To THE Commanding General, 
Department of Missouri, 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Sir:— I have the honor to inform you that the 
Secretary of War^ has approved the request of the 
Roman Catholic Bishop of Leavenworth, returned by 
your endorsement of the 10th inst, for permission to 
erect a building for school purposes, on the lot of 
land heretofore set apart for the occupancy of the 
Catholic church on the Fort Leavenworth military 
reservation with the distinct understanding that the 



158 Jffiirt 2I^a»eumortl| 



building is to be removed whenever the land is re- 
quired by the United States. 

I am sir, Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND, 

Adjutant General. 

The terms in the permit were accepted. Plans 
were drawn by Major Dallas* then stationed at the 
post and a devoted member of the church. The 
building was placed west of ''Union Hair' and is at 
present the northeast corner of Thomas and Kearney 
avenues. There the building remained until 1889 
when it was removed to the site of the new church 
and later torn down. 

Of the Sisters who taught here Sister Mary 
Francis was perhaps the best known. She is said to 
have been a remarkable little woman and well re- 
membered for the way in which she could lay the 
lash to the shoulders of the loafers in her school, 
many of whom were taller than herself. 

In the ''History of the Sisters of Charity of 
Leavenworth'' considerable space is devoted to their 
school work at the post and from this the following 
extracts about good sister Mary Francis are repro- 
duced: 

"Rev. Father Panken, S. J., was pastor, and 
when Mother Xavier told him that she proposed to 
send Sister Mary Francis McMahon to the Fort as 
one of the two teachers required, he hesitated— then 
unhesitatingly objected, saying that Sister Mary 
Francis was too old and too— ugly. 

"Sister Mary Francis was not so exceedingly old, 
she was forty at the time, but looked years and 

*Major Alexander James Dallas, 28d Infantry. He was 
stationed at this post from 1877 until 1879. He came of a dis- 
tinguished family, a member of which was Vice-President 
under President Polk. Major Dallas died July 19, 1895. 



3ltB (!Il)urrl)rB an^ #rl|ool0 159 



years older; she died May 26, 1894, at the age of 
sixty-two, but she was not by any means a beauty; 
she was homely in feature, but her manners were 
refined, her movements graceful, her whole bearing 
ladylike and commanding respect. She proved a very 
successful teacher at the Fort, where she remained 
for twelve years continuously.'^ 

And this concerning the school and the work re 
quired of the Sisters: 

"At that time there was no Catholic school house 
at the Fort, so a government building was used for 
that purpose. The building thus loaned to the Sisters 
for school was taken three or four times during the 
year for different purposes. This was annoying to 
both teachers and pupils, so finally the Government 
allowed a Catholic Church to be built at the Fort, and 
here the Sisters taught for two years. The com- 
manding officers were always kind and respectful to 
the Sisters; even the Protestant ministers v/ere most 
polite and attentive. For a while the Sisters taught 
in the Episcopal Church, whilst their own was in 
course of completion. The Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Woart, 
was very kind to the Sisters, frequently inviting 
them to his house for luncheon, and when the Sisters 
would decline, he would express his concern at their 
having to partake of a cold collation. The kind rev- 
erend gentlemen would undoubtedly have raised his 
hands in holy astonishment if he had been granted 
an interior view of a small basket that accompanied 
the Sisters to and fro on their daily trips, for it con- 
tained some slices of dry bread and a bottle of coffee 
—usually this, seldom more, 

'Quoth the raven, seldom more.'' 

"After they had been some time teaching in their 
own church, they had the honor of two or three visits 
from Mrs. W. T. Sherman, who expressed herself 



160 3ixtX Sl^aupttmortt? 

highly gratified at such a flourishing Catholic school 
at a post, the only post in the Union that had a 
Catholic church. On the occasion of her last visit 
she gave one hundred and fifty suitable books to be 
distributed as premiums to the children of the school. 
Her great delight was to come after Mass and spend 
an hour with the Sisters. Mrs. Sherman was, at this 
time, a guest of General Miles, who was a relative of 
hers. She had with her her youngest son, who was 
thirteen years of age and and a lover of the saddle. 

'*In the morning an ambulance was sent for the 
Sisters, and the same conveyance brought them home 
after school hours. One bright, delightful spring 
morning, as the Sisters were on their way to the 
Fort, they passed this young lad and his cousins rid- 
ing rapidly towards the city. The boy was not an 
expert rider; he had a mettlesome horse, and as he 
was going very fast, he lost his balance and fell, 
and in falling his foot caught in the stirrup, and 
thus he was dragged for some distance, when one of 
the prisoners, an Irishman, who was working on the 
road, came to his assistance at the risk of his life — 
for a guard stood with loaded gun, ready to shoot 
any man that left his post. 

''When this news reached Mrs. Sherman, and 
her son had been restored to her arms, badly bruised, 
but not seriously injured, she sent for the brave 
prisoner, told him to ask what he would, and it should 
be granted him. She had him pardoned that day, 
supplied him Hberally with clothing, presented him 
with a handsome sum of money, and obtained for 
him honorable employment.*' 

The pupils of the parochial school came largely 
from a section of the post known as "Happy Hol- 
low,'' on the site now occupied by the engineer and 
artillery stables. The residents of * ' Happy Hollow ' ' 



3ftH (EIiurrlfFB anb ^t\}oo{B 161 

were employes of the quartermaster's and subsistence 
departments. Early in the eighties the authorities 
decided on the removal of all buildings on the site. 
It was there where lived the Flannigans, the Cronins, 
the Buckleys, the Logans, the O'Connors, the Mc- 
Guires, the Kinerneys and many others of similar 
name and nativity. The removal of this large Cath- 
olic population from the reservation to the city wiped 
out of existence the post's recruiting station for the 
parochial school and the facilities for easily reach- 
ing the parochial schools of the city, made it im- 
possible to maintain the local school and was finally 
closed down in 1904. 



ituifitnu ©uifluf 



Sljr P00t*0 (HtmHnwB 



163 



CHAPTER XVIII 

FORT LEAVENWORTH'S NEW AND OLD CEMETERIES 
FURNISH INTERESTING HISTORY 

WITH a view of preserving for the future a history 
of the post's burial ground, past and present, 
its publication within these pages was believed to be 
appropriate and it is hoped will prove as interesting 
as that which precedes it. 

Originally there were two cemeteries at Fort 
Leavenworth. The first came with the establish- 
ment of the post in 1827 and was known as the 
* 'soldiers' burying ground". It was located within 
what are nov/ the limits of the grounds attached to 
the residence of the commandant of the Army Ser- 
vice Schools. Here v/ere buried the soldiers, and 
many civilians w^ho, in the post's early history, died 
in its vicinity; some having been brought from the 
plains along the Santa Fe trail and even as far south 
as Santa Fe, New Mexico. This two cemetery 
was discontinued in 1860. Late in the fifties it was 
decided to establish an ordnance arsenal at Fort Leav- 
enworth. The grounds occupied as a cemetery and 
those adjoining were considered as best adapted for 
an arsenal site. The selection was approved. Or- 
ders reached the post late in the year 1860 to aban- 
don the cemetery, locate a new site and disinter all 
remains for transfer to the new location. 

The second cemetery, known as the ''officers' 
burying ground", was estabhshed subsequently. It 
has not bean possible to ascertain the exact date. 
The site selected was upon the brow of the hill, 
fronting the Missouri River and directly east of the 
College building, knovv^n in early days as "rattle- 

165 



66 3titt 2i^aufnutortl| 



snake hill", from the fact that the ground was in- 
fested with rattlesnakes. * Here were buried many 
of the officers who died at this and neighboring mili- 
tary posts and also many civilians. 

Mr. E. T. Carr,t for many years superintendent 
of construction quite famihar with all the surround- 
ings of the post at that time was in charge of 
the disinterment of the remains from both ceme- 
teries and their transfer to the newly selected site, in 
a letter written by him some years ago giving his 
recollection of this subject says: 

''Soon after the establishment of the arsenal 
came the order to remove the bodies from the old 
'soldiers burying ground' to the present site— in or- 
der to make room for quarters for the command- 
ing officer of the arsenal. These are the quarters 
now occupied by the Army Service School's com- 
mandant. 

"In the early spring of 1861, by direction of Cap- 
tain J. L. Reno, ordnance officer, then in charge of 
the arsenal, I made a contract with R. V. Flora, 
of Leavenworth, to remove the bodies. The work 
was performed by him under my supervision and all 

* In his "Annals of Plabie County, Missouri", Mr. W. M, 
Paxton, who at this writing is past the age of ninety, speaks 
of this site as having been infested with rattlesnakes, but 
never knew of anyone having been fatally poisoned by them. 
§ E. T. Carr, a native of Syracuse, N. Y., came to Fort 
Leavenworth in 1855. Under Major E. S. Sibley, quartermas- 
ter of the post, he had charge of the construction of many 
buildings. Later he was employed as superintendent of con- 
struction by the ordnance department and all buildings which 
comprised the old arsenal, were constructed under his direc- 
tion. In this position he continued until 1871. In the mean 
time he planned many public buildings for the county and 
state including the capitol at Topeka. He occupied the res- 
ponsible position of Grand Recorder for the Masonic Grand 
Lodge of the state, and chairman of the committee on "For- 
eign Correspondence" for many years. 



3ft0 (2IJ|urrl)rB m\h ^rI|nola 167 

bodies taken up where the appearance of a grave 
could be found. These were placed in rows, in 
trenches along the upper side of the new cemetery 
nearest the main road (northwest), all head stones 
or other means of identification being carefully pre- 
served and placed over each body. 

"How many were left in the old cemetery will 
probably never be known.* 

**The bodies from the 'officers burying ground' 
were not removed until two or three years later and 
I had charge of their removal also. This was a 
small enclosure and contained a number of monu- 
ments, headstones, etc. But there were many graves 
with nothing to mark them, before removing any of 
these bodies I made a measured diagram of the en- 
closure, locating all visible graves, and giving names 
of all I could, and where the names were not known 
the distance and direction from other graves, ob- 
jects, such as trees, etc. Some graves had probably 
become entirely obscured. This diagram I left with 
the Depot Quartermaster for future reference." 

In 1867, owing to the many burials of soldiers 
who served in the army during the civil war and 
were killed, or died in this section who were buried 
in this cemetery, it was declared a National Ceme- 
tery under the law passed at that time and a super- 
intendent placed in charge. Notwithstanding that 
only those who died in the army or navy, or honor- 
ably discharged, were entitled to burial in such 
cemetery, the post continued to bury there its dead 
regardless of the restrictions of the National Ceme- 
tery law. 

* Since the abandonment of this cemetery the grounds 
have been frequently graded and much excavation has been 
done for the erection of buildings which lead to the uncover- 
ing of many bones of the soldier dead. These were always 
carefully collected and given proper burial in the new ceme- 
tery among the "unknown dead". 



168 Effort Craui*nm0rtl^ 



In 1883 the Quartermaster General of the army 
(Ingalls) called attention to this law with the result 
that the post was compelled to look elsewhere for a 
burial ground. This was regarded as a hardship and the 
department, later authorized an extension of the 
grounds toward the south. In the meantime, Colo- 
nel Otis, then in command of the post, set off a small 
plot adjoining the northeast corner of the cemetery 
wall and surrounded it with a barbed wire fence. A 
few bu.ials were made there of children and adults. 
The new addition in the main cemetery was called 
the ''post plot'' and placed directly under the con- 
trol of the post commander. The abandonment of 
many of the frontier posts brought all the dead from 
such post cemeteries to the local National Cemetery, 
requiring a second extension. 

Up to March 1, 1912, there have been 3,936 
burials in this cemetery. Of this number 2,353 are 
among the known and 1,583 among the unknown 
dead. Among the known dead seven Confederate 
soldiers are included. The government has placed 
a regulation head stone at the grave of each of 
these soldiers. 

Since the establishment of the National Ceme- 
tery there have been five superintendents, as fol- 
lows: 

Hugh M, Fogg, 

Noble Warwick, 

WilHam Dillon, 

Max Ritter, 

A. V. Menuez, (now in charge). 

The first lodge for the cemetery superintendent 
with the stone wall surrounding the grounds was 
constructed in 1873-74, the former costing $2,551.60, 
the latter $3,067.99. 

In 1886-87 the grounds were extended towards 
the south at a cost of $2,403.50. The rostrum on the 



3(tH (lIl|urrI|rH aub S>rljoul0 i^5 

grounds adjoining the cemetery on the north was 
erected in 1882-83 at a cost of $1,946.75. 

Prior to the erection of the stone wall about the 
cemetery grounds a picket fence served the purpose. 
Several years ago the first lodge was destroyed by 
fire and a modern building placed upon the site. 



CHAPTER XIX 

DISTINGUISHED DEAD LIE AT REST IN FORT LEAVEN- 
WORTH CEMETERY 

AMONG the many distinguished dead, at rest in the 
cemetery at the post, are the names of officers 
who have rendered valuable service to their country 
upon the Plains in the earliest day of its occupancy 
of this section. Among these is General Henry 
Leavenworth, in whose honor the post was named. 
General Leavenworth died July 21, 1834, while 
in command of an important expedition against hos- 
tile Pawnees. His remains, after a temporary in- 
terment near the place of demise, were removed to 
Delhi, New York, where they arrived the following 
year. In 1901 a movement was undertaken in Leav- 
enworth to have the remains brought to this post for 
final interment. 

The Leavenworth Chronicle-Tribune of Decem- 
ber 1, 1901, furnishes the following account of that 
eifort: 

''The transfer of the body of the late General 
Henry Leavenworth from its resting place in the 
cemetery at Delhi, N. Y., to the National cemetery 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is a proposition Henry 
Shindler has undertaken and its success is therefore 
virtually assured. 

"With this object in view he obtained permission 
of the only hving descendants -three grandchildren 
—and their authority is now on file in the Depart- 
ment of War at Washington. 

"The idea of transferring the body to the Fort 
Leavenworth National cemetery grew out of a news- 

171 



172 Ifott ^mMttmiort\} 

paper paragraph which appeared some four years 
ago to the effect that the grave at Delhi, N. Y., 
which contained General Leavenworth's body was 
almost forgotten and no relatives lived near there to 
care for it. It struck Mr. Shindler that the transfer 
of the body to Fort Leavenworth would not only be 
appropriate, because General Leavenworth selected 
the site where Fort Leavenworth now stands, but 
the grave would be kept green as long as the republic 
stands. 

"Mr. Shindler promptly set to work to ascertain 
the names and whereabouts of living descendants to 
secure their authority for the removal. After a long 
and persistent effort their location was established, 
and the proposition, when placed before them, not 
only received their unanimous approval, but authority 
for its immediate accomphshment. 

''Armed with this permit, Mr. Shindler enlisted 
Leavenworth's Commercial Club in the undertaking 
over a year ago and upon his suggestion Senator 
Baker was requested to present the matter to the 
Secretary of War with a view to having the dis- 
interment, shipment to, and reinterment at Fort 
Leavenworth ordered. The senator endeavored to 
induce Secretary Root to comply with the Club's 
request, but without avail. Last summer when the 
Secretary visited Fort Leavenworth, Mr. Shindler, 
in the presence of a Chronicle-Tribune reporter, 
again broached the subject to him, but the Secretary 
could not see his way clear. He said that he would 
like to oblige the citizens of Leavenworth, but that 
it was out of the question for the reason that there 
was no appropriation available for removing the body 
from the New York cemetery to this place. 

*' 'The Department,' he said, 'will gladly give 
the permit for the interment of the body in the 



3lta OIl|«rrI|pfi anb 0rl|aola 173 

National cemetery here, but this is as far as it 
can go. ^ 

"When the Department declined to grant Sena- 
tor Baker's request for the transfer of the body, the 
session of Congress was then too near its close to 
permit the initiation of proceedings looking to a 
special appropriation, and nothing, beyond broaching 
the subject to the Secretary of War, has since then 
been done. 

"Mr. Shindler has now determined to bring the 
matter to a successful issue, and he has gone to work 
with the vim and spirit so characteristic of him in 
anything he undertakes. 

"That the plan proposed will meet with 
unanimous public approval need not be discussed 
here. That is a certainty. It will at once commend 
itself, not only to every man, woman, and child in 
Leavenworth County, but every officer and soldier in 
the Army will feel that the people of this community 
will acquit themselves nobly by undertaking to carry 
out such a proposition and thus pay proper tribute 
and respect to one whom the entire West owe a 
lasting debt for his valiant services. 

"It is Mr. Shindler's further idea that after the 
body is brought here and laid away for its final and 
eternal rest, a pubHc subscription be started through- 
out the county and city through which to obtain 
sufficient means for the erection of a monument 
worthy of the dead soldier. He believes in having 
the body brought here as soon as practicable, so that 
funds may be raised in season and the monument 
erected in time to permit the unveiling on next 
Memorial Day, May 30, 1902. 

*It is not any too soon to begin now,' said Mr. 
Shindler today. 'Let us make the ceremony of un- 
veiling of a character more imposing, if possible, 



17 Jf 3txvX ^J^attfttttiflrth 



than were witnessed during the unveiling of the 
Grant statute at Fort Leavenworth in 1889. Let 
these ceremonies be truly worthy of General Leaven- 
worth and the United States Army at the same 
time. Let us invite a distinguished soldier, General 
Nelson A. Miles, if possible, to come here and 
deliver the oration upon the occasion. Let us invite 
the only living descendants of General Leavenworth, 
three in number, to be the guests of the city for the 
occasion. It would bring to Leavenworth an army of 
people, the like of which was never witnessed in this 
city. The day will be a national holiday. Every- 
body will have an opportunity to attend, and there is 
not a man, woman or child in Kansas, within easy 
reach of this place, who would not willingly come to 
Leavenworth on that day and assist in its proper 
observance. Let us have a parade at the fort of 
young and old soldiers that will be the largest of its 
kind ever seen in Kansas. We have both here and 
we can get many to join from other points.' 

* 'The above is a general outline of Mr. Shindler's 
proposition.*' 

A GREAT SUCCESS 

(From Western Life) 

Memorial Day of 1902 will long be remembered 
by those who witnessed the exercises in connection 
with the re-interment of the late General Henry 
Leavenworth. It was the grandest day in the his- 
tory of the city. More than ten thousand strangers 
entered her gates and more than twice that number 
beheld the most imposing military spectacle ever 
seen in the west. The presence of distinguished 
mihtary men including such soldiers as General John 
C. Bates; of civic officials including such as Governor 
Dockery, of Missouri, with a brilliant military staff, 
and of the church including such as Bishop Mills- 



3ftB (UlyurrliM anb ^rlyaalH 175 

paugh, of the Kansas Episcopal diocese, who came 
to pay tribute to the soldier dead, added to the 
greatness of the day. Besides Mrs. Dunn, of Chicago, 
a granddaughter, and Miss Ingersoll, of Tacoma, 
Washington, a great granddaughter, there were many 
other relatives present. 

The splendid display of the military was, of 
course, a chief attraction in the parade. Much of its 
success was due to the royal assistance rendered by 
the commanding officer of the post and his subordi- 
nates. Every one seemed to vie with each other to 
make the day one worthy of remembrance, and they 
succeeded. There have been many big demon- 
strations in Leavenworth, but none of them ever 
came up to last Friday's parade. There was not a 
hitch anywhere. There wasn't even cause for criti- 
cism. Everything was arranged with such nicety, 
so thoroughly planned, that only praise was bestow- 
ed upon those responsible for the results. 

The person to whom this credit is largely due is 
Mr. Henry Shindler, To him alone belongs the credit 
for securing the transfer of the remains of General 
Leavenworth and to his tact and diplomacy can the 
fruits be ascribed. Referring to Mr. Shindler's 
efforts the Delhi Republican in a recent issue said 
that: **Mr. Shindler's tact and courtesy in effecting 
the transfer of the remains without the least friction 
from the conflicting interests, is to be highly com- 
mended." 

From the moment he announced last winter that 
the transfer would be effected and re-interment made 
in the National Cemetery with imposing ceremonies, 
Mr. Shindler never wavered. He was confident of 
success. It was this confidence that gave Him cour- 
age, and with an executive ability so thoroughly dis- 
closed in the management of the entire affair, gave 



176 Jffort Sranpttmnrtij 



Leavenworth a splendid example of what can be ac- 
complished when the elements required to win are 
present and put to good use. 

The chairman of the committee, Mr. W. H. Bond, 
gave Mr. Shindler the widest latitude and felt con- 
tent that the arrangements would be well looked 
after. 

Western Life is pleased to give Mr. Shindler 
the fullest credit. He is being congratulated on 
every hand and feels grateful to his friends for the 
many kind expressions uttered. 

Relatives of General Leavenworth have sent him 
the following card of thanks: 

The members of the Leavenworth family, guests 
of the city of Leavenworth, not only desire to express 
their thanks for the royal entertainment extended 
them, but wish to express their appreciation of the 
efforts of Mr. Shindler, Secretary of the Citizens' 
Committee, and all others who assisted him, for the 
honors shown to the name and fame and memory of 
our illustrious relative. 

Mrs. C. J. KERSHAW, 
Mrs. a. M. INGERSOLL, 
Mrs. WILLIAM DUNN, 
Granddaughters, 
Miss A. C. Leavenworth. 
Mrs. Mary Leavenworth-Smythe. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Leavenworth-Farnsworth. 
Hiram Leavenworth Ferris. 
Anna Martin. 
Francis Coon. 



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